Piano tutors in Cape Town

I have a passion for teaching and watching students finally understand their work. I love to help people and I am very patient so I will sit with a student for as long as it takes until they understand their work. I am currently in my second year of studies and I am studying Bcom Industrial Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch. I matriculated in 2014 at Fairmont High School.

I am a friendly and intelligent 25 year old female currently studying Early Years Montessori Teaching. I am really passionate about education and am particularly interested in helping students with their Music (theory and piano practical), English, History and/or Drama studies. I am very creative with particular interest in sewing, painting, reading, drama, dance and music. I have worked in the fashion industry (as a fashion designer, blogger, stylist and visual merchandiser), broadcasting (hosting 2 radio shows over 3 years) and most recently have been working at a Montessori pre-school as an assistant teacher.

I'm a trained piano player having studied at UCT where I did 2 years training in the Classical stream followed by 3 years training in Jazz. I graduated in 2006. Since that time I have been working as a music teacher at various local music schools as well as working as a performing musician. My performing experience includes working as a session musician for various cover bands in Dubai as well as working in local bands. Currently I am a member of a duo called "Mistura". The type of music we perform is light tangos, classical pieces and arrangements of pop songs (which I arrange).

Ruan Strauss Kalis was born in Paarl, South Africa, commencing piano and music theory studies at age 10. At age 14 he took up organ lessons and shortly after started studying composition under Paul Loeb van Zuilenberg (1993 – 1996). He matriculated at Paarl Boys’ High School in 1996. His professional music studies, majoring in Piano Performance, commenced in 1997 at the University of Stellenbosch under the guidance of the esteemed pianist and pedagogue, Melanie Horne. Following her death in 1998, he moved his studies to the University of Cape Town, where he completed the Performer’s Diploma in Music (majoring in Piano Performance) under the guidance of distinguished professors Lamar Crowson and Graham Fitch. Whilst studying for his undergraduate qualification, he performed at several masterclasses from renowned pianists, among which Leslie Howard, Martino Tirimo and Andrzej Jasiński. During the years 2003 and 2004, he taught piano and music as high school subject at Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard (College), as well as privately and later at the Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of the Western Cape. At the same time he wrote, compiled and hosted a radio programme for Fine Music Radio, as well as reading the news and weather reports. This period was followed by several years working in the hospitality industry, which included a year’s residency in London (U.K.). In 2012, he was appointed as Sales and Marketing Consultant for a piano specialist company, Ian Burgess-Simpson Pianos in Muizenberg, where he also fulfilled the roll as resident pianist, requiring regular performances for prospective buyers as well as for promotional purposes. In March 2013 his musical setting of poems from Antjie Krog’s Verweerskrif – a song cycle for Voice and Piano – was premiered at the Woordfees in Stellenbosch. Since his departure from Ian Burgess-Simpson Pianos, he has established himself as a voice artist, continues to compose and has commenced preparation for returning to the concert platform as pianist. He has also functioned as freelance organist up until the present date. Furthermore, he is a keen student of languages, having studied German to Matric level and later a refresher course, alongside an introductory course in French and currently Italian.

Since I can remember music has been my passion! After completing my BMus Honours at NMMU, I went to Stellenbosch to study choral conducting. I then completed my Post Graduate Certificate of Education in English, social sciences and arts and culture.   My corporate experience at Real Meal Revolution as a community manager (blog writing, content writing, social media marketing and analysis),administrator and head of education for our online courses and products. My work  as an online educator included marking assignments, graduating students, and preparing them for sales training.  I also worked for an NPO, Carpe Diem. My main focus was to generate leads and collect donations.     I am dynamic, creative and enthusiastic I am unassuming, easy to approach and easy to  get along with. I  am a strong communicator, able to express myself fully in both English and Afrikaans.

I have grade 7 level piano. Grade 8 theory and harmony. I can teach guitar and saxophone and I am very proficient at both instruments as well as the piano. I have played in a military march band and have been part of the Bach Choir in Johannesburg.

I did music as a subject throughout high school and hold a level 7. My hobby is to play piano, thus I am able to help the child. As a kid my mother through me into the music industry and it has been a passion of mine.

I hold a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Pretoria. I have given numerous concerts and have a sound knowledge of what is needed to succeed in the music business. When I teach, my focus is on musicality, technical development as the key to bringing out your musical vision, as well as the ability to perform onstage. I love teaching and enjoy developing my learners' talents to the full.