Grande Prairie Violin, Piano and Music Theory Lessons

At the age of 7, Velma-Jean Campbell started violin lessons at the South African College of Music in Cape Town. She also started piano lessons at Helderberg College, Somerset West, the following year. In 1993 she completed the Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance at the University of Stellenbosch under the violin tutorage of Jack de Wet. Between 1990 and 1993 she was a member of the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra and the University of Stellenbosch String Ensemble in 1990 and 1992. During her Bachelor of Music studies, she took violin teaching methods as an extra subject for three years and piano teaching methods for one. From 1992 to 2000 she gave private violin tuition from home. Between 1994 and 2000 she led the Orchestra for the Somerset West Oratorio Society by invitation. 1997 was a highlight for her when she toured the Scandinavian countries and Russia for four weeks with the American-based New England Youth Ensemble under the direction of Dr Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse.

 

Between 2001 and 2007, Velma-Jean taught violin at the boys’ school, Diocesan College Preparatory School in Rondebosch, Cape Town. In 2003 she graduated from the Bachelor of Music Honors Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Cape Town. From 2007 to 2016 she taught violin at Somerset College in both the Junior and Senior Schools in addition to teaching privately from home. In 2006 she started her Master of Music Degree at the University of Stellenbosch specializing in Chamber Music. During this time, she studied under the violinist Suzanne Martens. In 2008 she completed the Masters of Music Degree graduating with Cum Laude. Her thesis investigated the implications of Ned Hermann’s Whole Brain Model on violin teaching.

 

From 2016 to 2022, Velma-Jean taught at Curro Somerset West, Sitari Estate, where she gave violin and piano lessons. She also taught violin at Somerset House Preparatory School in Somerset West while continuing with private lessons in the afternoon. Between 2018 and 2022 she also gave violin lessons at Generation Schools in Somerset West. She was a member of the music ministry group, Voices for Christ, from 2013 to 2018 where she played the violin.

 

Velma-Jean is passionate about music and enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge with students of all ages. Violin is her principal instrument, but she also enjoys teaching piano.