Crystal Children's Choir with Lyrikos Community Youth Choir and Parklands College Choir - Hugo Lambrechts

Friday, 12 June, 19h30 | Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre (Cape Town)

Celebrated Conductor, Dr. Karl Chang, brings his internationally-acclaimed Crystal Children's Choir

With the Lyrikos Community Youth Choir and Parklands College Choir

Venue Address:

Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre

20 Picton St, Parow, Cape Town, 7500, South Africa

Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance start time

Crystal Children's Choir

Founded in 1994 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Crystal Children’s Choir serves young singers across three cities—Cupertino, Fremont, and San Jose—offering weekly rehearsals tailored to each child’s age and skill level. The choir has toured extensively throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, performing at renowned venues such as Beijing Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Sydney Opera House, and Taipei National Concert Hall. Crystal has been honored to perform for major music organizations including ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), CMEA, MENC, and OAKE, earning recognition and awards at many international music festivals. In addition to its concert tours, the choir remains active in community engagement through a year-round outreach program. By fostering teamwork, discipline, and a deep appreciation for music, Crystal Children’s Choir seeks to enrich the lives of its choristers and cultivate excellence in choral singing for future generations. Renowned for its artistic discipline, cultural versatility, and youthful vitality, Crystal Children’s Choir offers a concert experience that is both musically sophisticated and deeply moving. Whether performing classical masterworks, contemporary compositions, or cross-cultural repertoire, Crystal brings a radiant sound and professional polish that leaves a lasting impression.For further information, see https://crystalchoir.org/.

About Dr. Karl Chang, Conductor

Dr. Karl Chang is the co-founder and serves as the president and conductor of Crystal Children’s Choir since 1994. Under his leadership, the choir has received invitations to perform at many National and International choral conventions and was recognized for its outstanding performance of repertoire rich in cultural diversity. Dr. Chang co-conducted the choir at the National and Divisional ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conferences eight times and presented at the ACDA Interest Sessions. In 2014, Dr. Chang was invited as the Conductor of ACDA National Youth Honor Choir and appeared as a Guest Conductor of Carnegie Hall in 2015. Dr. Chang is also active in the choral field across Asia as a clinician and guest conductor for youth and collegiate choirs. Dr. Chang founded and conducted Ching Ching Chorus, a renowned 160-voice choir since 1981, and he continues to inspire people and help develop their love for singing. With a Doctor Degree of Education Leadership, he also earned an MBA and an M.S. in engineering. However, his passion and dedication for choral music have led him to pursue his lifelong dream of children’s music education.

Lyrikos Community Youth Choir

The Lyrikos Community Choir was founded in early 2025 with the vision of creating an inclusive space where people from all walks of life could come together through music. What began as a small gathering of local music lovers quickly grew into a vibrant and committed ensemble under the leadership of passionate volunteers and experienced choral directors. The previous choir named Lyrikos was an adult choir inspired by Ms Lizl Gaffley's mother who had passed on. With a focus on both musical excellence and social connection, Lyrikos has since become a welcoming musical home for many, embodying the joy and unity that singing together brings.

About Lizl Gaffley, Artistic Director & Vocal Specialist

Lizl Gaffley is a South African choral conductor, educator, and adjudicator with more than 30 years of experience in music education and choral leadership. She completed her teaching diploma at Bellville College of Education, followed by a Higher Diploma in Education (Music), and later earned a BA Mus Honours (cum laude) in Choral Conducting from North-West University. Her formal training includes advanced choral conducting studies through Choir Academy South Africa (CASA), as well as performance qualifications in voice, piano, and music theory.

Lizl taught for 26 years at Kenmere Primary School, where she developed a highly successful choral program, leading the choir to multiple national victories, including seven ATKV Applaus titles and major wins on the television competition Sing in Harmonie, including the first live televised finals in 2017. She is also the founder of the Kensington Chorale Girls Choir and the Lyrikos Community Choir, both of which achieved consistent national success at ATKV Animato competitions.

Since 2018, Lizl has served as a regular adjudicator on Sing in Harmonie and has judged numerous regional and national choral competitions. She is a sought-after workshop presenter, with a particular focus on Cape Malay choral music, and has presented for CASA, ATKV, the South African Choral Society, and international choral symposiums.

Currently, Lizl teaches at Pinedene Primary School, where the school choir has quickly achieved national recognition, including qualification for the ATKV National Finals. She continues to serve as artistic director of several choirs and remains committed to using choral music to develop confidence, discipline, and community among young singers.