ARIELLA CAIRA, CELLIST

Ariella Caira, a former student of the distinguished cellist Anmari van der Westhuizen, is currently a 3rd year Theatre and Performance student at the Universtiy of Cape Town.

Ariella, cellist of the popular all-female ACE Quartet, has been playing music since the age of 5, and over the years has played in several orchestras and ensembles, including the National Youth Orchestra, participated in many eisteddfods and won numerous awards and trophies.  She has completed her grade 8 examinations for Piano, Cello and Percussion.  She has participated in several competitions including the Sanlam music competition while in Junior School and in the Absa Competition while in High School.  In 2000 she won the Herschel Girls' High School music scholarship and she matriculated in 2004.  She was placed first in the Western Cape for Speech and Drama in 2004 for her matric results.  Last year she was placed on the Dean's Merit List for her academic achievements at University. She is now an active chamber musician and aspiring actress.