Wanderlust

The dynamic string trio - South of Bear - presents an exciting new program this season, aptly named

Wanderlust - a strong and innate desire to explore and travel, often characterized by a deep curiosity about the world and a longing for new experiences. Those with wanderlust are driven by a passion for adventure, discovery, and a yearning to immerse themselves in diverse cultures. The term encapsulates the joy derived from wandering and the constant pursuit of the unfamiliar, fuelling a perpetual sense of exploration and a love for the open road. South of Bear has carefully curated a selection of pieces from diverse cultures and geographical contexts, spanning nearly 4000 years. This diverse repertoire includes the enchanting Hurrian hymn, boisterous broadside ballads and also brand-new compositions that are set to be premiered. The excitement of this program is not only found in the rich musical tapestry but also in the instruments themselves. From the Nyckelharpa and Mandolin to the Violin, Viola, Baroque Guitar, and Double Bass, each instrument contributes to the program's narrative in both traditional and more daring settings. The result is a captivating musical journey that weaves together the threads of time and culture.

Jan-Hendrik Harley – Mandolin, Baroque Guitar, Viola

Jan-Hendrik Harley is a composer/arranger of classical and popular music, and also freelance as a performing and recording artist. He has enjoyed a number of premieres by professional and student ensembles in Africa, Europe and both Americas, of works ranging from intimate chamber music

pieces to electroacoustic- and bigger orchestral pieces. He has done production work on numerous soundtracks and albums, his main focus being orchestration and scoring. Jan-Hendrik holds master’s degrees from both the University of Stellenbosch and the University of North Texas, and is the music director of the new music group Ensemble Je Ne Comprends Pas and the folk Baroque group Here be Dragons. He is currently enrolled for a PhD in composition at Rhodes University in Makhanda.

Emile de Roubaix – Nyckelharpa, Viola

After his initial training on the violin, completing his BMus and BMus (Hons) degrees in violin performance at the University of Stellenbosch, Emile shifted his attention to the viola and moved to the UK where he completed his MMus in Viola Performance (cum laude) at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Here he received college awards for solo playing as well

as chamber music in various combinations. Subsequently, he freelanced with various orchestras

such as the Hallé, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, The English Concert and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (baroque viola), and Glyndebourne Touring Opera. He also worked extensively in Norway with Bodø Sinfonietta, Tromsø Chamber Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and toured Northern Norway with the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra. After returning to SA, Emile taught part-time and freelanced. From 2012–2015 he was part of the viola faculty for the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. He was also violist for the SAMA-nominated Juliet String Quartet. He is currently completing his MMus in Music Therapy at the University of Pretoria. Over the past few years, he developed a keen interest in the Swedish nyckelharpa, which he hopes to explore further in the near future.

Mariechen Meyer – Double Bass

Mariechen Meyer, a dedicated professional double bassist, actively champions string pedagogy and music education in South Africa. From her early fascination with the double bass' role as a solo and

chamber instrument, Mariechen has amassed a wealth of local and international experiences. She has been a member of the Bassinova Quartet (USA) and iPalpiti Artists International (USA), competed in global competitions, attended masterclasses, and performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, and Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. Beginning her studies at age 10 with Peter Guy and completing her doctoral degree at the University of North Texas with Jeff Bradetich, Mariechen returned to South Africa in 2018. Currently, she works as a freelance performer, private double bass teacher, and part-time lecturer at Nelson Mandela University. Passionate about sharing her knowledge, she actively pursues research to promote the double bass and emphasize the importance of music education and classical music in the community. In 2021, Mariechen founded the South African Strings Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and advancing all aspects of string-related performance, pedagogy, research, and instrument building in Southern Africa.