Piano Department

Although Beau Soleil is a centre for teaching of orchestral instruments, a small piano department has been built up in the hope of bringing more students into the centre and to expand on the teaching of “other instruments”.

The piano student receives a half-hour piano lesson from a highly trained piano teacher and is required to play internal tests and prepare for the Wednesday concerts (when required). Piano students are encouraged to work towards taking the instrument as part of the subject curriculum for their respective Matric exam.

Three piano teachers are teaching in this department and they are Bronwen Leith, Grethe Nöthling and Kevin Topkin (part-time). This is a popular instrument and a waiting list is already being built on.

Esther Thomas

Esther Thomas (14) is congratulated on receiving a distinction for the ABRSM Performance Grade examination in Grade 5 Piano. This exam requires candidates to do a video recording of 4 pieces in one sitting, as if for a live performance. The video is sent to ABRSM for marking by their examiners. Esther received high marks and favourable comments for all her pieces. Well done, Esther!
Esther is a well rounded musician who also learns the violin at Beau Soleil with Marina Louw, plays in the Intermediate String Ensemble, and is a member of the Cape Town Children's Choir.

Bronwen Leith

Head of Piano

bronwen@beausoleil.org.za