Musicians who will be playing parts for our upcoming Competition and Performance.

Our Wind Quintet musicians :

Féroll-Jon Davids

Clarinet

Férrol-Jon Davids is a Cape Town based clarinetist filling the role of principal in the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Férrol-Jon Davids is an exceptional chamber music musician in addition to his soloistic proficiency in the CPO.

Dr Liesl Stoltz

Flute

Liesl Stoltz began studying the flute at age 13 with Éva Tamássy at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1994 she was awarded a scholarship to study with Shigenori Kudo at the École Normale de Musique de Paris: Alfred Cortot where she also studied with Pierre-Yves Artaud, Jean Ferrandis and Chantal Debushy. Here she was awarded the Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste de flûte and Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste de Musique de Chambre (à l’unanimité). She furthered her studies in Italy at the Accademia Internazionale Superiore di Musica: Lorenzo Perosi with Swiss maestro Peter-Lukas Graf and obtained the Concert Diploma in flute in 2001. In South Africa she was awarded the degrees MMus (2003) and DMus (2010) by the University of Cape Town.

Liesl was fortunate to receive scholarships from various institutions for her overseas studies. These scholarships include: Bill Venter/FAK music scholarship; SAMRO; Oppenheimer Memorial Trust; FAK; South African Society of Music Teachers; École Normale de Musique de Paris. 

Liesl won various international awards including first prize in the 12th Friedrich Kuhlau International Flute Competition in Germany (2007), 3rd place in the International Flute Competition in Timisoara, Romania (2007), finalist in the Leonardo de Lorenzo International Flute Competition in Italy (2005), and second prize winner at the Jeunesses Musicales Competition in Bucharest, Romania (1999). Local prizes include ATKV Forté Music prize (overall winner - 1999), SAMRO Music Prize (second prize – 2000), Huguenot Music Competition (winner – 1995) to name a few.

In 2011 Liesl continued with post-doctorate studies at the University of Cape Town which was generously funded by the AW Mellon foundation. The aim of her project was to promote South African composers and their works for flute. In 2012 she toured Europe with pianist François du Toit presenting concerts and workshops of South African flute music at the University of the Performing Arts (Vienna, Austria), Cité Universitaire de Paris, (France) and Cardiff University (Whales). In 2016 she was invited to give a recital at the French Flute Convention in Paris where she performed South African Flute music together with pianist José Dias. Her recording Explorations – South African Flute Music (recorded with pianists Francois du Toit, José Dias and Pieter van Zyl as well as harpist Jacqueline Kerrod) won the category “creative output” for the annual Humanities and Social Sciences awards from the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences in 2017. (This recording include works by South African composers Stefans Grové, Paul Loeb von Zuilenburg, Roelof Temmingh, Hubert du Plessis, Hendrik Hofmeyr, Alexander Johnson, Peter KLatzow, Braam du Toit and Paul Hanmer)

Over the years she made various other recordings including French Flute Music, Histoire du Tango (with Portuguese classical guitarist, Pedro Rodrigues), Vuurvoël (with Magdalene Minnaar and Mario Nell) and most recently Recital (together with pianist Albie van Schalkwyk). 

At present she performs extensively as soloist and chamber musician and is a part-time lecturer in flute at the University of Cape Town and Reddam Durbanville High School. She is guest principal flute of the Johannesburg Philharmonic and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. Liesl regularly acts as external examiner at academic institutions and as adjudicator for local eisteddfods and music competitions. She performed as a soloist with all major orchestras in South Africa. Over the years she has given numerous solo recitals together with duo partner Albie van Schalkwyk. Her trio Trio du Cap Classique was formed in 2018 with cellist David Pinoit and pianist François du Toit. Since their formation the trio toured extensively in South Africa performing at Universities and music festivals.

Simon Ball

Bassoon

Simon hales from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and started the bassoon late, at the ripe age of 11. His teachers at Grey Junior and Grey High School for Boys were John Ashton Jones (a clarinetist) and Robin Small (an oboist). While at school he spent a year in Stuttgart, Germany under the tutelage of Prof Albrecht Holder (proper bassoonist), where he also attended master classes with British bassoonist William Waterhouse. After leaving school, Simon started a music degree in Potchefstroom with Fanie Jooste but was drawn back to the coast and finished his varsity studies with a degree in pharmacy. After copious drug experimentation, Simon joined the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000. Since then, he has worked in chemist shops, hospitals, drug manufacturing factories and various orchestras in Cape Town. Currently he clocks in as the Principal Bassoonist of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra but no longer needs to wear overalls or a white coat. After playing the bassoon for 41 years, Simon has managed to come to an uneasy truce with the instrument and greatly enjoys his duties in the orchestra and as a chamber musician in Cape Town.

Owen Dalton

Oboe

Owen Dalton (1998-) is a South African composer based in Cape Town. He has
completed both a BMus (2021) and an MMus (2026) degree in composition at
Stellenbosch University under the tutelage of Dr Antoni Schonken, Dr Hans
Roosenschoon, and Arthur Feder. Alongside his studies, he performs regularly as an
oboist with ensembles across South Africa ranging from chamber groups to
professional orchestras. He also teaches oboe part-time at the Hugo Lambrechts
Music Centre.
Dalton has been a finalist in the annual South African Composers’ Award (SACA) for
three consecutive years: 2023 (2nd), 2024 (2nd) & 2025 (1st). Since the competition’s
inception, he has received numerous commissions from musicians and ensembles
across the country. These include the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra,
Symposium of South African Composers’, Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, and the
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dalton’s music has garnered some international recognition. His orchestral work
Century Machines (the one written for the 2024 SACA) will be receiving its second
performance by the Xalapa Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico in May 2026. Some of
his chamber works have also been commissioned and performed by players in the
UK and USA. These include a published bass clarinet duet, a bass clarinet trio, and
a recently completed bass clarinet quartet.
He has also written many works for local musicians including a work for oboe and
piano, a flute sonata, a duet for piccolo and marimba, and a trio for flute, alto
saxophone and piano. Current projects include an oboe concerto, a solo piano work,
an orchestral work, and a large work for orchestra and spoken voice to be performed
in later this year.

Gene Kierman

French Horn

"The current horn section is the strongest and most versatile section I've heard in this part of the world. I've played alongside these horn players for many years and in various ensemble configurations, I feel like I know them well as players but I am still impressed by their formidable skill on a weekly basis. It is a great privilege to finally be part of this horn section and this excellent orchestra."

Josie McClure

Saxophone

Josie McClure is a South African saxophonist based in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. She holds two Master’s degrees in Classical Saxophone Performance (both cum laude) from Stellenbosch University and the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag. In 2024, she completed her research project ‘Finding Home: An Exploration of New South African Art Music Through the Classical Saxophone and Collaborative Practice’. As part of this research project, she developed an online catalogue, named The South African Saxophone Catalogue - documenting South African works for saxophone. Her studies were supported by the Skye Foundation (South Africa) and Stichting De Zaaier (Netherlands). As a soloist, Josie has performed with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Namibian National Symphony Orchestra, Royal Conservatoire The Hague Saxophone Ensemble, and Free State Symphony Orchestra. She has won prizes in the Dubai Yamaha Scholarship Competition, Mabel Quick Overseas Competition, International Woodwind Competition, and Fine Music Radio. An active chamber musician, she performs with NorthSouth Duo (with accordionist Kaat Vanhaverbeke) and Novo Duo (with pianist Seung-Ree Lee) and is dedicated to promoting South African saxophone repertoire and advancing classical saxophone in South Africa. She is currently a JLV Sound Paris brand ambassador, lecturing part-time at Stellenbosch University and pursuing her PhD.

Brass Quintet members :

Brendan Kierman

Trumpet

BRENDAN KIERMAN (trumpet) is a principal player in the Mzanzi National Orchestra, and recently also freelance Principal Trumpet occasionally in the JPO as well as first call principal for the KZNPO Orchestra (2022-25), having won the principal position audition. He also freelances occasionally with the CPO (Cape Philharmonic Orchestra) and the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra..  He is currently an adjunct lecturer and frequent external examiner, at UCT. He also teaches brass classes at the German International School (DSK), Westerford H.S, Grove primary as well as from his private studio. He can regularly be seen on stage with the Stellenbosch City Orchestra as principal/soloist trumpet, Cape Town Opera, the Cape Pops orchestra which recently played Swan Lake ballet at the CTICC amongst other interesting projects.
Brendan has a  BMus (UCT) and an MMus (Boston University, MA) degree. Brendan held a teaching fellowship & assistantship while pursuing a DMA from the University of North Texas and Boston University for 3 years. He has also served on the faculty of the world renowned Boston University Tanglewood Institute in Massachusetts (USA) as Quintet(Armory Brass) in Residence. He has played and recorded(BIS), with the Singapore Symphony, and has freelanced with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. As well as in the USA, Boston Philharmonic, and Portland, Maine orchestras, amongst quite a few other orchestras in New England, USA. Also he was a Principal player of the North Texas University Wind Symphony(1998-00) and recorded multiple CD's with each year's new band works presented on the Klavier label. And as a soloist in the Fisher Tull Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Band. Also an internationally renowned educational series, recorded ,"Teaching music through through performance in band"(1998-00)  In other genres, Brendan been a member of the Jazz program at UCT, Boston University Big band, and Jazz lab program at University of North Texas. Brendan is also an avid Violinist.

Likhona Tokota

Tuba & Euphonium

Likhona Tokota is a South African tubist and educator who will complete his master’s degree in music in 2026 at the Department of Music, Stellenbosch University (SU). His musical journey began at the Beau Soleil Music Centre, where he studied cornet before transitioning to tuba with Shaun Moir, a move that shaped his artistic trajectory. At SU, Likhona studied with renowned brass pedagogue, the late Sean Kierman, who was his principal mentor. He currently studies with Nick Green and Pamela Kierman at the SU Music Department.

As an ad hoc tubist, he has performed with the Cape Town Philharmonic and Free State Symphony Orchestras. He has performed as soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic and the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestras and WindWorx, and the University of Stellenbosch Symphonic Wind Ensembles, the latter of which he serves as student assistant, managing ensemble logistics. He enjoys chamber music, was a member of the SU Brass Quintet, Brahsse, in his undergraduate years, and plays tuba in the Ubuntu Brass Quintet when required.

Likhona was awarded the prestigious Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) overseas bursary, which enabled a study trip to Germany and Switzerland, where he job-shadowed Mark Hampson (Mahler Chamber Orchestra) and received tuition from Hugues Spielman (Robert Schumann Hochschüle, Düsseldorf) and Anne Jelle Visser (Zurich University of the Arts).

He has participated in masterclasses with leading international musicians, including Felix Ceunen (Belgian tubist and composer), Albert Savino Khattar (Yamaha artist, USA), Susana Santos Silva (Portugal), Manfred Häberlein (Harmonic Brass, München), David Cribb (Gewandhausorchester, Leipzig, online), Steve Rossé (Sydney Symphony Orchestra, online), Paul Luxemburg (Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra), Steve Campbell (Minnesota Orchestra), Jarrett McCourt (Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra & University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory), and Geoffrey Pilkington (Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra).

Likhona is deeply committed to community music education and teaches at the Ronnie and Eileen Music Project, Kuilsriver, under the mentorship of Felicia Lesch every Saturday morning. He also teaches at several schools in the northern and southern suburbs of Cape Town.

His artistic interests include contemporary, improvised, and chamber music for tuba, and he has performed with the Africa Open Improvisation Group at the annual Purpur Festival, with a forthcoming CD featuring works by June Schneider, Michael Blake, and Ulrich Süße.

Nicholas Green

Trombone

 

NICHOLAS GREEN (Trombone) graduated with a BMus degree from UCT in 1992, and joined the CAPAB Orchestra as Principal Trombonist in the same year. He subsequently played both tenor and bass trombones in the Cape Town Philharmonic until 2000 and is now a freelance trombone specialist. He is a current member of the Solid Brass Quintet and performs regularly with other ensembles around Cape Town, including the Cape Town Concert Brass, Windworx Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the newly formed Big 5 Brass Quintet. Nicholas performs as an ad-hoc player for all
of the major orchestras in South Africa and joined the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra as principal trombonist for a tour to Azerbaijan in 2014. He is a founding member of the Cape Town Pops and works closely with local musicians to create performance opportunities and promote the talent that exists within the Western Cape. Besides an active career within the music industry as performer and educator, Nicholas is also working as an IT professional after completing an MPhil degree in Information Technology in 2004.

Mike Magner

Trumpet

MIKE MAGNER (trumpet) was born in Durban, South Africa, and began playing the trumpet at the age of 14. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Natal under Michel Schneuwly in 2003. From 2004 - 2005 he travelled to
Geneva, Switzerland where he studied under Suisse Romande trumpeter Gerard Metrailler at the Conservatoire de Geneve. On his return to South Africa he joined the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra as Sub-Principal trumpet, retaining this post for 3 years. Within this time he played numerous solo performances with the orchestra. In 2008 Michael moved to Johannesburg where he took up the position as Co-Principal trumpet of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO). In 2013 he toured Turkey, South Korea and Malaysia with the successful theatre show Jersey Boys and most recently to China in 2014 with Pieter Toerien's production of The Sound of Music. Michael moved to Cape Town in 2014 where he is a highly regarded trumpeter in the orchestral, chamber and show music circles.