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African Youth Ensemble – Conference Entertainers launched in 2000 by violin teacher Kolwane Mantu who started teaching in violin in Soweto over 20 years ago, The Children’s Orchestra constitutes young children who have learnt how to play the violin
CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA
Launched in 2000 by violin teacher Kolwane Mantu who started teaching in violin in Soweto over 20 years ago, The Children’s Orchestra constitutes young children who have learnt how to play the violin.
Their small instruments were donated by “The Peace Boat”, an international educational and networking NGO from Japan, who visit various ports around the world and organise cultural exchanges with local communities.
The African Youth Ensemblea was recently performed with the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands. Book through Speakers Inc
They have performed in the Youth Day Celebrations in Soweto (June 2000) and have played for Dr Nelson Mandela to celebrate the launch of the Alumini Programme of the Nelson Mandela Scholarship.
Recently they performed for Portnet and played for three nights at the Vista University in Soweto to a number of visiting African American Professors.
The Orchestra’s membership currently stands at 35 and is still growing.
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Nomonde White-Ndlovu is a seasoned Technology executive who currently heads up Risk, Governance & Compliance for Absa’s Groups Information Technology Office.
She has also been the joint-CIO for the organisation’s Infrastructure Services and Head of Technology for Absa Regional Operations (previously known as Barclays Africa Regional Management).
She began her career in Technology at UCS Solutions and later moved on to other multinational organisations such as British American Tobacco.
As the Chairperson of Wired4Women and in partnership with ITWeb and BCX, Nomonde is able to advocate for the upliftment and recognition of women at an industry level. In this role she is able to actively pursue gender parity and equality in the workplace.
Her MBA from GIBS (Gordon Institute of Business Science), a BA Law degree from Wits University and expedient courses from institutions such as MIT, Harvard and the London School of Economics and Political Science as a foundation, Nomonde is continuously growing her skill in the Technology industry, with a strong focus on business strategy, leadership, organizational design and efficiencies.
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What the world has begun to realise is that Elvis Blue resonates with a creative force that ebbs only from the most talented of artists. One simply has to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Things My Father Said or Lighthouse or Save Me, or any of his original compositions for that matter, to realise that you are in the company of greatness.
Balance this divine gift with great humility, a kind heart and the work ethic of Henry Ford and you begin to understand the soul within this artist.
The gifted musician’s journey started when he was a young boy, singing in school choirs, and busking in the streets of Joburg and Scotland. His one and only goal was to make and perform music.
After a stint overseas as a street musician, Elvis returned to South Africa where he decided to study contemporary music.
After appearing in numerous bands Elvis started a project where he sang under the name MONO. He released three albums under this time. When MONO’s record deal came to an end, Elvis decided that he would move to George where he would become a music teacher, write his own music, and live a quiet life.
After spending some time in George, Elvis was approached by a record company who wanted him to record an Afrikaans album. “The first album I did was under the name Jan Hoogendyk, my real name, and the album did really well. It won an ATKV Lier Toekening award. His second Afrikaans album, Ontskemer also under the name Jan Hoogendyk, was nominated for a 2010 SAMA Award.
While living in George he met the friend whose name he would adopt in 2008. “My wife works at an organisation that is a hospice and children’s home and I met this little boy there when I used to go and play my guitar for them.
He really wanted to be a keyboard player, and his name was Elvis Blaauw”, he says. When he passed away in 2009, as a tribute to this amazing young man, Jan Hoogendyk adopted his name and Elvis Blue was born.
In 2010, Elvis Blue won the title of Mnet Idol for that year – sharing half the profit with runner up Lloyd Cele.
Elvis Blue released the album that would change his life as a musician and consolidate all his years of hard work.
This album was simply titled Elvis Blue. On the album’s release in November 2010, it shot up the radio and sales charts and reached Gold status.
The first two singles Things My Father said and Lighthouse were massive hits, and with the third single, Save Me, is currently on playlists across the country.
The album went platinum in late 2011 – with sales in excess of 40 000 units.
Since the release of his album, Elvis has set himself apart as an exceptional performer of live music, using some of the best local musicians to round out his band on stage, insisting on delivering music with depth to audiences across the country.
Elvis is also a dedicated husband and father besides being a world class musician and a household name in South Arica.
Elvis was named an official global ambassador for the 46664 Bangle initiative, and through this opportunity he helps to educate people on the social justice ethos of Mr. Nelson Mandela.
The 46664 Bangle initiative is one of the 46664 Foundation’s key initiatives.
Elvis has also partnered with Bavarian Motorcycles as their BMW motorcycle brand ambassador for the year 2012.
In April 2012, Elvis’ credibility and talent was further acknowledged when he took home the SAMA (South African Music Award) for Best Adult Contemporary Album for the double disc special edition of his self-titled album, Elvis Blue.
The success Elvis Blue over the past few years enabled himself to invest in something very near and dear to his heart – The Elvis Blue Music Academy.
The Academy was started by Elvis to teach underprivileged children the joy of music. The organisation provides instruments and instruction in a safe, warm environment. “Music has the ability to heal,” Elvis says.
“This venture is living proof of that.” The Elvis Blue Music Academy operates in the Western Cape, George and is rolling out in Alexandra in Gauteng in the near future.
Elvis’ success is due to years of hard work, passion and commitment, and even though the path has been long and sometimes never ending, the real journey has only begun now.
There is a lingering feeling of awe when you meet this humble artist. True talent begets respect and admiration. And that’s exactly why Elvis Blue has our country at his feet.
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Astrid Ascar has worked in the media industry for more than twenty years. Astrid Ascar – Financial Journalist career spans over the television, radio, print and more recently, the mobile and digital mediums.
She began her career as a journalist on radio, working as a reporter and as a presenter in the current affairs, news, business and entertainment genres. She was a news reader on Highveld and SAFM for more than 10 years and she made the transition to television in 1994, as one of the 6 Chief Anchors who guided viewers through the SABC’s week-long live TV coverage of the country’s historic 1994 elections. She spent the following few years as a current affairs TV anchor and producer and she has executively produced dozens of television series for a range of various audiences.
In 1999, Astrid made the transition into management and financial journalism where she joined the BDFM Group and she has two television channel start-ups: DSTV’s Summit and The Home Channel), as well as the launch of a radio business under her belt.
Apart from BDFM and AVUSA, Astrid Ascar has worked with numerous media brands including Carte Blanche, the SABC, Naspers, Multichoice, MNET, CNBC Africa and DSTV Mobile.
She has an MBA from Henley in the UK and in 2009, she went solo as a consultant with a client base that includes listed and non-listed corporates, SME’s, agencies and tertiary education institutions.
She presents talks, facilitates workshops, and she trains consultants in a range of areas including:
Astrid’s media training clients include FNB (a range of business units), Huawei, Momentum Investments, Stanlib, Premier Foods, Pro Sano, Wits Business School, GIBB, Lonmin and Lafarge.
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Stuart Taylor – Corporate Comedian is probably best known to South Africans as the presenter of SABC 3’s hit travel show, ‘Going Nowhere Slowly’.
But when this Stellenbosch University science graduate is not in front of the camera with mud-powdered face and wind-styled hair, Taylor is enchanting local and international audiences with his headline, stand-up comedy and magic shows.
His award-winning formula of a meticulous fusion of comedy and magic earned him recognition as South Africa’s Comedy Magic Champion, a title he held for three years.
After ditching his microscope and lab coat, Taylor’s delightful potion of enigmatic entertainment has mesmerised audiences from theatres to boardrooms across South Africa.
His corporate repertoire includes most of South Africa’s blue chip multinationals with Shell SA, De Beers, Engen, Sun International, Red Bull and Ogilvy, among his endless list of tributes.
Stuart Taylor uncanny ability to cast spells of unbridled laughter on virtually any audience, earned him the adoration of critics and fans for his performances at the Pleasace Dome at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Berlin International Comedy Festival and his sold-out comedy-magic theatre productions throughout South Africa.
His theatre production ‘Learner Husband’ played to critical acclaim across the country from the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town to the Market Theatre in Johannesburg as well as a successful run at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and The Montecasino Main Theatre.
This show was built on the success of his previous 1-man show ‘Techni-Coloured’ whichhad scooped some amazing reviews and awards, winning the prestigious Overall Best Comedy award at the National Arts Festival (2008) and the Show Time award (2007) for the best solo performance.
Stuart Taylor can currently be found touring with his latest solo offering ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ as well as ‘Learner Husband’
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Barcode is a group of dynamic young professional musicians who have joined forces to celebrate their South African heritage though their music, crossing and covering a diverse blend of South African favourites.
Their visually striking image embodies style and elegance and plays on the strong contrasts within the band and their easily recognisable repertoire and upbeat performance adds South African flair and flavour to any party or event.
The group consists of Vocalist Lindiwe Maxolo, electric violinists Balekane and Olivia, and producer / keys / viola / DJ Brendan Jury, all of whom have cast experience in the corporate entertainment worked.
They all come from different backgrounds, both musically and culturally and are having fun exploring and paying a wide variety of music together.
Musically they have taken popular songs from the past few decades and blended them into a set of music guaranteed to entertain a diverse audience with upbeat tracks from Mafikizolo, Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba and Lebo Mathosa.
The music of Barcode – Conference Corporate Band combines African sounds with catchy melodic and percussive loops, deep basslines and catchy rhythms and harmonies blended together with beautiful string lines, keys and sultry vocals.
This is truly a special collaboration in proudly South African style.
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