Thursday 9 June 2022: This week in our series of ‘Meet our Music Staff – Mr Conrad van Breda, Violin and Piano teacher and conductor of the String Ensemble.
Conrad van Breda started the Violin when he was in Grade 2 – taking lessons from his next-door neighbour Charles du Toit – a well-known violin maker. He began piano lessons the next year and music became an obsession for him throughout his schooling.
He joined the choirs and orchestras on offer and enjoyed the cultural offerings at Huguenot High School in Wellington where he matriculated. In his Matric year, he wrote his own musical “Die nag van die Pere” with a friend, Phillip van Dyk. This was a great moment for the school as it acted as a catalyst for a biennial tradition of musicals being performed.
In addition to school opportunities, Conrad took lessons at and was a member of the orchestra at the Frank Petersen Music Centre in Paarl.
He went on to study for a B. Mus degree at Stellenbosch University and graduated in 2003. He graduated with a PGCE from UNISA in 2007.
Conrad worked in London from 2004 to 2006 as a teaching assistant and then music teacher at a special needs school.
In addition to teaching, Conrad is a Pilates Instructor in the early mornings and evenings and has a studio in Tamboerskloof. He also composes and produces electronic music for commercial productions.
Conrad’s history with Wynberg began in 2009 when he began teaching at the Junior School. In 2015 he commenced work at WBHS where he teaches Violin and Piano and is the founder and Conductor of our String Ensemble.
A #WynbergMedia article, with grateful thanks to Mr Richard Haigh, Head of WBHS Music
