International Singing Symposium

Riaan Oosthuizen pictured with Mimi Coertse at the First International Singing Symposium held at Stellenbosch, 1 – 5 April 2007.

During the April Holidays, the University of Stellenbosch hosted the first ever International Singing Symposium. The Symposium took place between 1and 5 April 2007 at the Conservatoire and involved 60 singers from age 16 to 38. Well known voice teachers such as Werner Nel, Eric Muller, Mimi Coertse, André Howard, Virginia Davids and internationally acclaimed Prof. Michelle Breedt shared experience and advice in the form of master classes, lectures and concerts.

The Hilton College voice teachers attended together with Riaan Oosthuizen. Riaan (and Sam Mabombo) recently spent 10 days in Oslo, Norway, for lessons with the world renowned tenor and Head of Voice at the Music Academy in Oslo, Svein Bjørkøy. Although being one of the youngest singers at the symposium, Riaan impressed many with his lyrical and well-placed sound. He was even asked by one of the lecturers when he will come to study with this lecturer! Just being in an environment where good voices were singing everywhere, influenced the sound of everyone who attended.