Matthew Ferrandi studied BMus (Hons) clarinet performance at UCT and graduated with distinction in clarinet and chamber music in 2014. He also took piano lessons from a young age and studied piano at UCT with Albie van Schalkwyk. He accompanies all his students. After pursuing a course of legal studies at UCT, Matthew has moved full-time back into the music world, and is passionate about encouraging the pursuit of excellence in teaching, chamber music and solo performance.
Claire was born in Cape Town and began playing music at the tender age of 4, starting classical saxophone at age 10. She attended Westerford High School and was awarded a Grade 8 Certificate, passing with distinction with the highest mark in the Western Cape, in classical saxophone from the Trinity College of Music. During primary and high school, she attended the Beau Soleil Music Centre and studied classical saxophone with John Rojas, as well as performing in the Jazz Band with Frank Mallows, where she was able to hone her improvising skills, and the Senior Wind Ensemble.
Ioanna Matei is a part-time oboe lecturer at the Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town’s College of Music and at the Beau Soleil Music Centre in Kenilworth. She was born in Romania. At the age of fourteen she entered the Bucharest High School of Music where she studied oboe with the legendary Pavel Tornea, and in 1972 she matriculated with Distinction with a Baccalaureate Diploma, majoring in oboe.
After passing the entrance examination, she studied oboe with Radu Chisu
Glyn studied bassoon at the Royal College of Music under Kerrison Camden. After many years of playing in various professional orchestras, he is now a freelance player and teacher in the Cape Town area.
Carla Ferreira completed a BMus degree, specializing in clarinet performance, at Stellenbosch University with Cum Laude in 2013; also receiving the Rector’s Award for Academic Excellence. Whilst studying towards this degree she obtained her UNISA Licentiate in Clarinet Performance with Cum Laude in 2012.
Becky Steltzner is the Course Convenor for Woodwinds, and teaches Clarinet, Teaching Method, Orchestral Studies and is also responsible for the Woodwind Repertoire and Performing Literature courses, as well as the occasional post-graduate course. She holds a M.Mus (Performance) degree (cum laude) from the University of Southern California, and studied under Glenn Bowen and Mitchell Lurie, as well has having master classes with Gervase de Peyer.