Our Mission

By offering music education in a safe, nurturing environment, Kronendal Music Academy can support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children in our care. We focus on 21st Century skills development that will equip young people with the self-confidence to build their future, and the resilience needed when dealing with life’s setbacks and stresses. We help individuals and their families and build relationships within our community.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create platforms from which young people develop the tools they need to thrive, to be employable, create opportunities to rise out of the cycle of poverty, and raise their own children differently.

Our Values

Growth – Embracing opportunities to do better whenever we can
Communication – Effectively sharing data to create clarity and purpose
Transparency – Being an open book and accountable
Integrity – Building trust by accepting responsibility for all our actions
Professionalism – Taking pride in offering a high-quality service
Relationship – Synergy in our partnerships and team

KMA Board

Jackie Pollok

Chairperson

BAFA (UCT) 1987 (Honours Fine Art Degree majoring in History of Art and Studio Work Lithography) HDE (UCT) 1989 (High School Art Teacher); Adv. Cert. Counselling & Communication Skills: Coaching (SACAP) 2015; B Soc Sci Hons Psych (SACAP) 2016; Jackie believes in ‘paying it forward’ and lectured Leadership and Self Development at TSiBA for two and a half years. TSiBA is an NPO offering Business Degrees with a focus on encouraging entrepreneurial skills and providing mentorship for previously disadvantaged individuals.

Eloise Williams

Vice-chairperson

Eloise is a qualified corporate coach specialising in support to assignees from all over the world to overcome and manage cultural differences. She is also a qualified TEFL and TEFL Business English trainer. Previously worked as GM in various industries and started her career with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria with subsequent diplomatic postings to London and Tel Aviv. A University of Stellenbosch graduate Eloise has lived and worked as an expatriate in many countries over the past 20 years. She is passionate about education, language and communication and facilitating these across language and cultural barriers.

Morné du Toit

Treasurer

Morné is a Chartered Accountant with a passion for education. He has over 28 years of experience, of which 15 years have been in executive roles, in both the public and private sectors, as well as for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. He has a Master’s degree in Computer Auditing and is currently studying towards a LLB (Hons). Having worked in South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Namibia in senior executive roles he has a proven track record of successful strategic and operational leadership. Morné’s specialises in executive leadership, strategic planning and execution, finance, procurement, operations, stakeholder management and building high-performance teams.

Cecily Campbell

Secretary

Cecily graduated from Natal University with a BA and then Stellenbosch University in Higher Education. She has taught at various High Schools in Cape Town, Harare and Mutare. Following which, Cecily worked for her husband in his Private Practice as his Business Administrator. She has worked as a Volunteer Teacher at Constantia Primary School, Oranjekloof Primary School, James House and now at KMA. The children absolutely adore her kind, motherly and gentle way. Her passions include Education in our country, wildlife and hiking.

Beccy Kellond

Member

Beccy is a partner at Moonlighting Commercials (Pty) Ltd: a film production services company based in Cape Town that services the production of tv commercials for clients from all over the world. Born and raised in the UK, Beccy worked in marketing and branding in London for companies including United Airlines and Siegelgale before moving to South Africa in 2002. She currently resides in Hout Bay with her husband Richard and their two children.

Chris Vietri

Member

A Chartered Accountant CA(SA), Chris is an accomplished executive with five decades of experience in the South African banking and investment sectors. A previous Director of the Board of the Cape of Good Hope Bank, he also served as Chairman of the Nedbank Group Credit Committee and in acting CEO capacity as needed. With numerous counselling skills under his belt, Chris serves on the Boards of Salesian Institute Youth Projects and LifeLine Western Cape. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot License and a Helicopter Instructor Pilot Licence from the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Judge Patricia Goliath

Member

Judge Patricia Goliath was born and raised in Cape Town. She holds a BA LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and a LLM at the University of Cape Town, (UCT). She also holds a Certificate in Labour Law (UCT) and a Diploma in Insolvency Law and Practice (UP). She served on the Executive Committee of the Salvation Army in Cape Town and was actively involved in progressive legal organizations Nadel and BLA. She has served in the Cape Law Society on the Criminal Law and Pro Bono Committee and also served as an Examiner for the Attorneys Admission Examination. Judge Goliath has published in De Rebus, a legal journal and has written on topics ranging from Prisoners of War, Juvenile Sentencing, Gun Control and Human Trafficking. In 2006 she was permanently appointed as Judge of the High Court in the Western Cape and is a long standing member of the South Africa Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges In 2016, Judge Goliath was permanently appointed as Deputy Judge President in the Western Cape and, in 2018, she was appointed as Acting Judge at the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Chris Hames

Member

Chris is a semi-retired teacher, marine zoologist and environmental carer. Having arrived in Hout Bay from the UK 4 years ago he is embracing opportunities to support local projects, especially with educational activities; hence his enthusiasm for the role with KMA. Chris is COO of the BlueBay project and has raised funds for the Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre with sales of a book 'Cathy the Cape Fur Seal' that he has written for children. He is currently writing an activity and information book about the ocean and coastal wildlife of the Western Cape.

Staff

Dwyn Griesel

Founder & CEO

director@kmahoutbay.org

Ms Dwyn Griesel has some 28 years teaching experience. She has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Composition and Arrangement. Dwyn began KMA with her entire paternal inheritance in 2007 and has since received the Inyathelo Award for Philanthropy in The Arts as well as the Lions Club Louis Volks Humanitarian Award. She has studied many diverse disciplines such as proof reading, copy editing, aromatherapy and reflexology and is an avid lover of nature and animals.

Chandni Meghji

Operations Manager

opsmanager@kmahoutbay.org

Of Tanzanian origin, Chandni has been in management for 15 years including administrative volunteering at the AgaKhan Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam. A business-owner in her own right for many years, Chandni has a good understanding of interpersonal relationships and communicating with people from all walks of life. Her extensive experience in financial controls and office admin combined with her passion for problem solving and efficiency, makes Chandni the perfect addition to KMA’s management team. She lives in Hout Bay with her two beautiful daughters, Fatema and Zahra.

Zoe Guenantin

Administration Officer

info@kmahoutbay.org

Zoe joined KMA as a pupil in 2014 on Clarinet and quickly advanced to Tenor Saxophone. She toured with the KMA Jazz Band to the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival in 2018 and continued as a post-matric pupil in 2019. Zoe has joined the KMA team as General Assistant and has proved herslef an invaluable member of the organisation - now as staff! Her love for children, ambitions to become a music teacher, and her excellent admin skills make her the perfect fit for this demanding post!

Curtly Masemola

Head of Music

headofmusic@kmahoutbay.org

Curtly started playing Bass guitar as a young boy in his church in Hout Bay. After a few years of music lessons at KMA, he was not only one of the music school’s first pupils to attend the National Youth Jazz Festival in Makhanda, but was also one of KMA’s first pupils to successfully apply to the UCT Department of Jazz Studies. From 2017 to 2020 Curtly worked as a recording and performing musician which included teaching at Alexander Stinton High School. As an active musician he plays with many different kinds of bands and strives to be an inspiration and example to the pupils at KMA.

Johannes Gideon

School Bus Driver

Mr Gideon moved to Hout Bay in 2000 and previously worked in garden and house services, He then became the KMA driver in September 2020. He enjoys making jokes and listening to music! Mr Gideon is a wonderful, friendly person who safely transports our pupils every day and always with a smile on his face.

Zizipho Mkrwala

Kitchen & Household

Zizipho is a fun, loving person who grew up in Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. She is a genuine people's person and loves to cook hearty meals for our pupils. Zizi has vast experience as a home nurse and is a secret mathematics wizard!

Kirstyn Botha

Music Therapist

Kirstyn Botha is a music therapist and business woman working in Cape Town. She runs her music therapy practice from Sea Point Medical Centre. She has experience in the education and psychosocial fields, working with schools such as Beau Soleil Music Centre and Athlone School for the Blind. Kirstyn's experience lies in the field of child-care and her passion is to help children become stable, emotionally aware human beings who are able to find their place in the world and achieve their fullest potential.

Marchané Janeke

Social Worker

Marchané is a qualified and registered clinical social worker, focusing on a holistic approach to the healing journey of all. With 13 years of experience using Art and Play during sessions with children of all ages, Marchané believes in their potential and equipping them with the skills needed to grow into healthy functioning adults.

Teachers

Jarrod Fortes

Guitar Teacher

Jarrod Fortes, guitarist and bassist, completed his BMus Jazz Studies Degree at the South African College of Music, UCT. As a long-time member of the much acclaimed Delft Big Band, Jarrod “pays-it-forward” by giving lessons in Delft along with the other big band members as part of community service. Jarrod has performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the Klein Karoo Klassique in Oudtshoorn, Espresso Morning Show and many venues in and around Cape Town.

Simon Van Harte

Bass Teacher

With a BSc. Chemical Science degree behind him, Simon has focused his working life on teaching bass. As an alumni of the distinguished Bergvliet High School Jazz bands, Simon learnt his skills from Cape Town aficionado, Darryl Andrews, whilst also serving in the prestigious George Werner Little Giants Jazz Band. He has extensive experience as a bass player in numerous productions and bands and is presently resident bass teacher at Bergvliet High School.

Stanislav Angelov

Accordion and Orchestra Teacher

Stanislav received numerous awards prior to 1985 and was accepted at The Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv-Bulgaria, where he studied Accordion with Prof. Peter Marinov and graduated with a degree in Accordion in 1991. Whilst teaching at the Constantine Preslavsky University in Shumen, Stanislav competed and performed in Bulgaria, France and Poland as a soloist or member of different ensembles orchestras. In 1992 he moved to Cape Town, where he now performs, records and teaches. Stanislav has recorded for the SABC as well as for many radio and TV adverts and has featured on many South African Artistes’ releases.

Siya Nteta

Violin Teacher

Siya was one of the founding pupils of the Beau Soleil Outreach programme, the Ifidyoli String Project in 1999 and eventually became one of their teachers! He specialises in the Suzuki method and sine 2011 has been for the teaching for the Cape Town Philharmonic outreach project, Masidlale.

Mulalo Mphaphuli

Flute and Recorder Teacher

Mulalo Mphaphuli holds a BMus in Western Classical Music specialising in Flute performance and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education both from the University of Cape Town. He says, "Having been privileged enough to have been exposed to music from a young age I would like to share the joys and the benefits of practical music making where I hope to inspire creativity and freedom of expression."

Femke Bakker-Limburg

Violin Teacher

A classically trained Violinist and experienced violin teacher, Femke has over 20 years experience in music education for all ages. Qualified with a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, she also lead a number of music ensembles performing and touring in Europe and America, including a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. Femke is passionate about teaching children and believes Plato’s philosophy: “Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything”.

Keegan Steenkamp

Brass Instruments Teacher

Keegan specialized in Jazz Performance, at the UCT South African College of Music, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Music in 2017. Before heading out to Japan to teach English for a year, Keegan taught Trumpet at South Peninsula High School. Keegan has performed extensively in Cape Town, participating in various festivals and the Kirstenbosch SummerConcert Series.

Judith Stiller

Piano and Recorder Teacher

Judith has a BMus from the University of Bloemfontein and has been teaching music since 1997 at various primary and high schools. She is passionate about creating a safe and welcoming space for children in her teaching space and enjoys being part of the warm home environment at KMA. She is also an avid Hiking and Mountain Biking enthusiast and has completed the Comrades Marathon 5 times!

Keketso Bolofo

African Instruments Teacher

Keketso graduated from the UCT South African College of Music with a post graduate diploma in African Instruments. He has performed extensively with South African African Instruments extraordinaire, Dizu Plaatjies, including Ibuymabo. Keketso has taught marimbas since 2015 for the Nyanga Arts Development Centre, SACM, SACS High School and the Amagongo Arts Programme. Keketso is passionate about spreading the art of playing indigenous African Instruments and believes that every human being should at least be able to play one musical instrument as a way to de-stress.

Tefo Mahola

Drumkit teacher

Tefo is a jazz musician, performing artist and composer from Gugulethu, Cape Town. In 2020 he released his debut album, First Offering, which received the Mzantsi Jazz Award for Best Jazz Album of 2021. He has played with many big names including Youssou N'Dour and Mulatu Astatke, and was selected to represent South Africa as part of MAISHA, a delegation of 12 musicians representing the African and European Union.

Lebohang Banda

Recorder and Singing Teacher

Lebohang Banda is a vocalist from Guguletu who has recently completed her Bachelor of Music specialising in Jazz studies under the tutelage of Nomfundo Xaluva. In 2020 and 2023 Lebohang was part of the UCT jazz choir that took part in Starlight classics and in 2020 she performed in the ArtsCape Youth Jazz festival under the mentorship of Amanda Tiffin and Mandisa Dyantis. As much as she loves performing she has a passion for teaching and community music projects, and has plans and dreams of developing the community she comes from through music education.

Carly Nauta

Piano Teacher

Carly has played the piano and violin for 24 years, and professionally for 17 years. She studied Classical piano at UCT with Prof Franklin Larey, and violin with Patrick Goodwin (CPO Concert Master). Carly has toured the country as a lead violin performer with The Barnyard Theatres as well as in original bands, whilst being featured most recently on SABC3’s Afternoon Express. Highlights are performing in the Seychelles, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. Carly says what excites her about teaching at KMA is, "Being able to contribute music to special moments is a gift from one to all".

John Minnaar

Cello Teacher

John’s journey began in 1999 as a student with the Mangaung String Programme (MSP) in Bloemfontein, which has its roots in the original Free State String Orchestra, run by the Free State Education Department. At first a learner, he soon became an apprentice with MSP and, although his first love is cello, he also plays piano, double bass, violin, viola, and clarinet. He has held various teaching positions including at the Kimberley Academy of Music and Maseru Preparatory School in Lesotho. John performs on an ad hoc basis with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and believes music’s beauty lies in how it brings us together, allowing us to communicate with one another without speaking any words at all. John says, “Social change is the shift that allows people to focus on their similarities more than their differences”.