Mignon van Vreden is an associate professor in music education at North-West University’s School of Music. She completed her BMus, BMus Hons and MMus degrees at Stellenbosch University and received her PhD from NWU in 2014, exploring a conceptual framework for integrating music in grade R. Her main instrument is piano, and research interests include music education in childhood, undergraduate music teacher education, and project-based service learning in higher music education.

Catrien Wentink completed her DMus degree in piano performance in 2017 at North-West University under the guidance of Dr Truida van der Walt. Her focus was on ensemble music and piano accompaniment.

Prof Conroy Cupido completed a music degree at Stellenbosch University, a Master in Music degree and Artist Certificate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and he was the first South African to complete a Doctorate degree in Vocal Performance which was conferred at the University of North Texas. While a member of Cape Town Opera’s Vocal Ensemble, Prof Cupido was recruited by American soprano and Professor of Voice, Barbara Hill Moore, to further his studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.