But... I love you | Johnman Concerts

But... I Love You opens the month of love with an intimate and expressive concert featuring two sopranos and collaborative pianist. The programme explores the many sides of love. From tenderness and devotion to longing and emotional conflict. Through beautiful vocal storytelling, the artists invite audiences to experience love in all its complexity and depth.

Sashon Johnson, a 28-year-old soprano, is currently enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch’s Honour’s degree programme, under tutelage of Mrs. Janel Speelman-Van Rooyen. She was recipient of the ATKV – Albert Engel Bursary in 2020, the Rachel du Toit bursary in 2024 and NRF Bursary for the 2025 period. Johnson began her musical journey as a chorister in the New Apostolic Church, later performing in various choirs. She debuted as a soprano soloist with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town Baroque Orchestra, and USSO Concerto Festival. She has also participated in masterclasses with Maestro Kamal Khan, renowned South African soprano Golda Schultz and German soprano Elizabeth Scholl. As soloist, Sashon regularly performs at events like the e’Bosch Project, Stellenbosch University graduation ceremonies, and alongside the South African Youth Choir.

Tasmin Crystal Titus is a young soprano who started her musical journey in church choirs, where her passion for singing blossomed. She travelled to Germany twice with the NAC Children’s Choir to support fundraising for the Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital. In 2022, she enrolled in the Certificate Programme at Stellenbosch University and was put forward for the Albert Engel Bursary. Tasmin was subsequently awarded the Hendrikz Hilda Bursary and successfully obtained her Higher Certificate in 2023. She is currently working towards a Diploma in Music and receiving vocal training from Janel Speelman-Van Rooyen.

Rayno Booysen is a Stellenbosch-based pianist specialising in collaborative piano. He completed his Higher Certificate in Music (2020) and Diploma in Practical Music (2023), both cum laude, followed by the Advanced Diploma in Practical Music (2024) with a specialisation in Piano Accompaniment under the guidance of Pieter Grobler. He is an active freelance musician and serves as piano accompanist at Stellenbosch High School and Eikestad Primary School, while also teaching piano in the Certificate Programme at Stellenbosch University and at the Jamestown Sounds Community Project. His accolades include membership in the Golden Key Honour Society for Academic Excellence, nominee of the ATKV- Albert Engel Bursary (2019), the Laeticia Morkel Piano Bursary (2023), and the George van der Spuy Cup for Best Accompanist at the Stellenbosch Eisteddfods (2024). Rayno received masterclasses from Vera Kooper and Megan-Geoffrey Prins, and has performed at the Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, and the annual Collaborative Piano Exchange Concerts by students from UCT and Stellenbosch University.