Music Staff

Neil Bennett

Born in 1964 and educated in Springs, Neil's profound musical ability manifested itself at the age of three, when he conducted a recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol in the Springs Town Hall. Piano studies began at age seven, initially with concert pianist Steven van Staden in Springs and Neil Bennett continued at Wits University in 1984, under the tutelage of Peggy Haddon. During this time Neil sang in the Wits Choir and began studying choral arranging.

Two years of military service followed, at 7 South African Infantry in Phalaborwa, where he established a successful dance band, as well as a choir at the local Methodist Church.

Further studies through Trinity College in London earned Neil a Performer's Licentiate Diploma and the Queen's Award for Excellence in Keyboard Studies in 1996. He has been involved in many popular musicals across Gauteng, including nine of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas, for which he has a special affinity.

In addition to being an accomplished keyboardist, arranger and concert artist, Neil has been a devoted organist in the Methodist Church since 1984. From 1998 to 2006, he was the music teacher and choirmaster at IR Griffith Primary School in Blairgowrie, and since 2003 has directed music for Northcliff High School's acclaimed stage productions, including The Mikado, Me and My Girl, The Pirates of Penzance, Annie, Crazy for You, Hello Dolly and Anything Goes. Neil is currently employed in Sales and Technical Support at Lovemore Music Centre, Illovo, Johannesburg.

Neil was appointed as the Musical Director of The Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa in 2004. His leisure activities include model railways, photography, military figure painting, calligraphy and cake decorating.

Neil is currently preparing for the Fellowship Diploma in Pianoforte through Trinity College, London.

Denise Kruger

Born in Johannesburg, Denise attained her Bachelor of Music degree at the Potchefstroom University immediately followed by a Higher Education Diploma. Following lecturing in music at the Denis Kruger Rustenburg Technicon from 1980 to 1981 she went on to teach at Hoėrskool die Kruin, the Art, Ballet, Drama and Music School, between 1983 and 1992, serving as Head of the Music Department from 1985.

Appointed as Chief Examiner to the Transvaal Education Department in 1989 in the subject of Music Performance, she was further responsible for setting Matriculation examinations as well as performing as an examiner for the subject Music HG.

Having joined the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa as Assistant Accompanist in 1995 and toured with the choir to Germany, England and North Wales, Denise was appointed official accompanist in 1997. She accompanied the choir on its tour of the United Kingdom in 2000, where it performed at the Millennium Festival of Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall (Festival of A Thousand Voices) and thereafter in South Wales.

In recognition of Denise’s valued contribution to the Choir, she was accorded Honorary Life Membership in 2004.

Denise continues to teach music at Wendywood Primary School in Johannesburg as she has done for many years.

 
 
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