CONNIE – SAXOPHONES

Dedicated, passionate and committed, Connie not only has a Bachelor of Music (BMUS) from the University of Witwatersrand, she is one of the top female performers in South Africa who plays piano and saxophone.

Connie is not only an instrumentalist of note but is also a musical director and has performed in shows for over 11 years. Some of these include: “Official Tribute to the Blues Brothers” (which won the best theatre production of the year – Vita award); “Snoopy the Musical”; Rory Rootenberg’s “Cadenza”; “Feeling Groovy”; Carousel’s “Decades”; Emperor’s “Inferno”; “Stage Fright, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and was musical director and performed in: “Girl Talk 1”; “Girl Talk Nite Out”; “Girl Talk 005;, “Girl Talk 007”  and Jervis Pennington’s “Scribble”. Connie was assistant musical director for Janis Honeyman’s Pantomime “Jack & the Beanstalk”.

She has startled audiences across the Barnyard theatre circuit and has also performed extensively in shows such as: “Glory Days”, “Roll over Beethoven”, “70’s Revolution”, "Natural Woman”, “The 60’s Revolution” and “The Boys are Back in Town”.

She has musically directed shows such as Jervis Pennington’s “Chef, Rattle & Roll” and the Buddy Holly show “That’ll Be the Day” for Richard Loring at the Globe Theatre, Gold Reef City - nominated for the Naledi Awards in the category “Best Musical Director”.

Apart from the theatre scene, Connie also played saxophone for the all-popular dance band “Avalanche” - and performed with Neill Solomon and they opened for Joe Cocker in Durban. She has worked with Michael Canfield and “Rhythm Section Africa” and can also be seen in a two-piece with Craig E. One of the highlights in her performing career was Nelson Mandela’s 80th Birthday Gala at Gallagher Estate where she shared a stage with celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder and others.

Besides performing at events, Connie arranges, scores and musically directs corporate shows. At present, Connie is the Head of the Damelin Contemporary School of Music in Bramley.