CATRIEN JOOSTE, CLASSICAL / ELECTRIC VIOLINIST

Based in Johannesburg

Catrien started playing the violin and the piano at six years of age. In 1997 she performed as piano soloist with the National Chamber Orchestra and again in 1998 as violin soloist with the same orchestra. In 2000 she enrolles for the B.Mus degree at the then PU for CHE and receives a FAK/PU CHE bursary. During her time as a student she receives numerous bursaries and awards.

Catrien was a member of the Sasol National Youth Orchestra for four years. In 2001 she was invited to play in the National Youth Chamber Orchestra participating in the International Classical Music Festival in conjunction with the English Chamber Orchestra. In 2002 she receives Unisa Grade 8 for violin with distinction and is invited to participate in the Unisa South African Musicstudy Bursary Competition. In 2003 she receives the degree B.Mus Cum Laude, with violin and piano as her majors.

Catrien is currently a professional musician playing in such orchestras as the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), Johannesburg Festival Orchestra (JFO), Johannesburg Music Initiative (JMI) and MIAGI Orchestra.

As a member of various ensembles (including the Lyric ensemble, Rendezvous String Quartet and Muziq Romantica), she has played at numerous corporate events, including Classic FM soiree 2006, and events for Bidvest, SAPPI and Barlo World.

Catrien is a member of the orchestra for the annual Huisgenoot Skouspel and has played at several art festivals including Grahamstown, KKNK and Aardklop where she played in the acclaimed Deon Oppermann production, Droomstoel. Other productions she participated in, include The Sound of Music (2005) and Princess Magogo (2006) .

During her years as a professional orchestra violinist she has shared the stage with artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Helmut Lotti, Patrizio Buanne, Sibongile Khumalo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Miriam Makeba. She has also made an appearance playing violin in the popular Afrikaans soap, 7e Laan on SABC 2.

Her busy schedule also includes recordings for various artists, as well as performing at a variety of functions and weddings. At these functions she offers solo violin with stylish backtracks, providing entertainment or background music. Genres offered varies from classical to jazz and light popular music to lively folkmusic.