After being a full time translator for seven years, Deirdré started her freelance career in music in 1995. She performs mostly in concert productions and oratoria, most recently in the excerpts from The Messiah with the Bach Choir during April 2005. In April 2001 her KKNK-commissioned production Op die Korovlak received the Kanna award, and was also awarded a De Kat nomination as best newcomer.

She has recently made four CD recordings. In addition to freelancing she works as music educator in Gauteng. In September 2002 she passed the UNISA performances licentiate cum laude and was invited to participate in the overseas bursary competition.

Aukse studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and obtained a Masters Degree of Arts (Music) - Opera soloist, concert singer and Instructor in 1998. She was awarded a bursary for Professional International Voice Studies in South Africa in 1998 when she enjoyed professional mentoring and training offered by Professor Arturo Sergi. During 1998 to 2003 her professional mentoring and master classes continued under Dr Emma Renzi.

Her performance experiences started in concerts with her school choir in Lithuania, Moscow and St. Petersburg. She participated in performances with the Vocal Ensemble Musseum Musicum in Italy, Poland and Finland. Her solo performance includes many concert recitals in Lithuania and South Africa. She was the alto soloist in the 2004 Messiah concert of the Pretoria Bach Choir. A CD of the Messiah with her singing the alto part is available from the Bach Choir. Click here to order one now.

Since 2004 Chris has been engaged at the Konzert und Theater St Gallen (Switzerland) where he sang successfully in concert and opera productions. He is a fully qualified electronic engineer and, since his return to South Africa he has been employed as an Electrical Engineer Consultant.

Chris sings regularly whenever the opportunity arises. He recently sang the role of Don Ramiro in a production of Rossini's La Cenerentola in Windhoek, and sang with us at our Cantate Domino concert in June this year.

Jaco Klopper started his vocal studies in 1998 under the guidance of Prof. Werner Nel. During this time he sang numerous roles in the opera including Dr. Dulcamara (Lelisir d’ Amore), Figaro (Le Nozzi di Figaro), der Sprecher (Die Zauberflöte) and Peter (Hänsel und Gretel). As concert singer he regularly performs in the Messiah in Pietermaritzburg and in 2004 he sang the bass part in Haydn’s Die Schöpfung during the Aardklop National Arts Festival.

In April 2005 he was a semifinalist in the first UNISA-Vodacom National Voice Competition and in August he sang in the An die Muzik concert in Pretoria and Potchefstroom on invitation from Mimi Coertze.

Jaco is currently busy with his Ph.D studies in Industrial Psychology at the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University.