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T i t i a B l a k e
Titia Blake started her career as a violinist at the age of ten. She was chosen to tour Europe and Israel as part of the South African national youth orchestra whilst still at school. After studying for a B.Mus at UCT she joined the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra as first violin. She has performed chamber music almost as long as she has been playing the violin. Sixteen years later Titia founded Palm Strings, two chamber ensembles consisting of a string quartet and a violin/guitar duo. She is married to trumpeter, Michael Blake, and has three children.Teaching is an important part of Titia’s life and in particular young children. She is an instructor at Bishops, the Sun Valley Music Academy and privately. |
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M i k e H o o l e
Michael Hoole was awarded the Bachelor of Music (Performers) Degree with distinction at the UCT College of Music in 1988. He studied further in London where he obtained a diploma in the Advanced Course from The Royal College of Music in 1989, and finally completed a Post Graduate Teaching Diploma at UCT in 1990. He has performed with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, as well as representing South Africa in several international competitions. Michael has recorded for the SABC and has toured South Africa, Namibia and throughout Europe. At present he teaches at Bishops High School, as well as the Sun Valley Music Academy, and freelances throughout the Western Cape. |
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R o s s J o h n s o n
Ross Johnson is the founder of the group amaAmbush. He was first introduced to African music, as a young boy, learning the African penny whistle on the streets of Cape Town.
He has a degree in music from the University of Cape Town, and works as the Managing Director of amaAmbush Productions. He leads the group, and plays the alto marimba. |
 L u c i a S c o t t
Italian born Lucia Scott, one of the youngest graduates of the Turin Music Conservatoire, has performed as chamber musician and soloist from an early age. She has been a member of Palm Strings since 1994 and was principal first violin in the CTPO until 1999. She is often seen as soloist on the concert platform. |
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K a r e n G a e r t n e r
Karen Gaertner graduated from UCT with a Bsc in mathematics and computer science. Having been involved in chamber music from a very early age, she studied viola under the late Pierre de Groote and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. She was principal viola with the CTPO.
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B a r b a r a K e n n e d y
Zimbabwean born Barbara Kennedy studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Apart from a busy schedule as a cello teacher and chamber music player, she was also a member of the CTPO. |
