Artist in Residence

Each year Kingswood welcomes professional artists to Kingswood to work with our pupils.

The Artist in Residence programme, born out of the Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) initiative, was launched in 2018 as a catalyst for creativity and inspiration for both music pupils at Kingswood and the greater Grahamstown community. The programme gives our pupils the chance to interact, collaborate and learn from successful professional artists, fueling their passion for learning their chosen instruments and opening up their minds to music beyond the school walls. 

Our artists up until now:

  • 2020: Professor Catherine Foxcroft (Pianist, Head of Music At Rhodes University)
  • 2019: Mr David Bester (Violinist)
  • 2018: Mr Caleb Vaughn-Jones (Cellist)
  • 2022: Danre Strydom
  • 2023: Johan Pretorius
2020 Artist in Residence is Professor Catherine Foxcroft, Head of Music at Rhodes University. Her first Master class will be on Monday 30 March in College Chapel from 08h30-11h30. Currently Head of Department and Associate Professor at the Department of Music and Musicology Rhodes University, Catherine Foxcroft combines a vibrant career in music as soloist (concerto and recital), chamber musician, pedagogue, and researcher. She performs frequently as a soloist with South African orchestras, and appears nationally and internationally in recital (solo and chamber). Catherine’s research interest lies in Music Psychology with a focus on Performance. She is currently supervising a growing number of postgraduate students at Rhodes University who are focusing on topics related to Music Psychology.
The Artist in Residence for 2019 was violinist David Bester. David is a violinist with a passion for new music and research in string pedagogy. As soloist, he has performed with the Stellenbosch Camerata, the Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal, and Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestras and plays regularly as a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Namur and the Amici Quartet. David is the Concert Master of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and founder of the Nelson Mandela University String Ensemble (NMUSE) where he lectures in violin and viola.
Renowned cellist Caleb Vaughn-Jones was the very first artist in 2018. Caleb presented two concerts in the Chapel throughout 2018 as well as three masterclasses for the music pupils. In these classes, he worked closely with the string students, offering advice and insight into their technique and musicality. Additionally, he presented a workshop to the subject music pupils about general ensemble playing skills. He also presented a lecture to the college about his business venture, which records music for video games.