Three aspiring musicians from across Cape Town have been selected for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra's (CPO) Young Artist Development Programme, taking a significant step towards building professional careers in orchestral music.
Marelise Brink, 26, from Oranjezicht, Carin Donson, 27, from Table View, and Andrea Salomo, 29, from Blue Downs, will join the orchestra as cadets from Friday, August 1, where they will receive a year of structured training, mentorship and performance experience alongside professional musicians.
The programme, funded by the L&S Chiappini Trust and the Azriel and Moira Fine Foundation, offers each cadet at least 20 performance opportunities while providing coaching, rehearsals and insight into the workings of a professional orchestra.
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra chief executive and artistic director Adriaan Fuchs said the programme was designed to equip young musicians with the confidence, skills and experience needed to pursue careers in the industry.
"Cadets rehearse and perform alongside professional orchestral players under the guidance of dedicated CPO mentors, while also gaining valuable insight into the orchestra's education and community development programmes."
The cadets will also support activities at the CPO Music Academy and the Masidlale grassroots music training programme.
For oboist Andrea Salomo, the appointment represents the reward for years of determination despite financial hardships.
She said one of her greatest challenges had been covering the cost of transport, instrument access and maintenance.
"There were seasons I simply couldn't afford it," she said.
"Getting to venues across Cape Town without reliable transport made it difficult to stay consistent. I relied on borrowing instruments, carpooling with fellow musicians and making every practice session count."
She credits supportive teachers, her family and fellow musicians for helping her continue.
Salomo hopes her journey will encourage other young people to pursue classical music regardless of their circumstances.
"If one young person sees my journey and thinks, 'If she can do it, maybe I can too,' then every challenge was worth it," she said.
"I want young people to know that classical music isn't only for certain people or places. It's for anyone willing to practise and dream big."
French horn player Carin Donson said her musical journey was shaped by two teachers who inspired her from a young age.
She began learning the French horn in Grade 4 under Sean Kierman at the Beau Soleil Music Centre.
"If it weren't for Sean, I probably wouldn't have been a horn player," she said. "He gave me the strong foundation and essential skills I needed, and I'll always be grateful for the impact he had on my life and my love for music."
She later studied under Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra principal hornist Caroline Prozesky, whose mentorship strengthened her skills and fuelled her dream of one day joining the orchestra.
"Watching my teacher perform with the CPO and later having the opportunity to play alongside the orchestra at school concerts was unforgettable," she said.
As she prepares to perform with the orchestra as a cadet, Donson hopes audiences connect with the music on an emotional level.
"I want people to become completely immersed in the performance. If even one person leaves feeling inspired or moved by the music, then I've achieved what I set out to do as a musician," she said.
Bassoonist Marelise Brink said she had always been fascinated by the deep, rich sound of bass instruments.
"I've always been drawn to the lower sound of bass instruments and I've loved woodwind instruments for as long as I can remember, so the bassoon was the perfect combination," she said.
Brink encouraged aspiring musicians to focus on building strong technical foundations while remembering to enjoy the music.
"Without solid technique, the fast pace of learning and performing orchestral repertoire becomes much more difficult," she said.
"But it's also important not to become discouraged by the struggles along the way and to remember why you love making music."
