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B i o g r a p h y

Gabriël started his piano training at age 10. He attended the National School for the Arts in Johannesburg. Under his piano teacher, Mr. Marius Du Plessis, he matriculated with distinction in music (piano).

He continued his piano studies under the well-known piano professor, Joseph Stanford, at the University of Pretoria. He has a Performer's Licentiate (Piano), UNISA.

Gabriël has traveled to the United States where he worked as pianist, bassoonist, and music director at a Summer Festival for the Performing Arts. He has performed extensively throughout South Africa, both as piano & organ soloist, accompanist in chamber music. He has also collaborated with Kindlewood Soireés with several performances.

As bassoonist he has played in the JPO for productions like the annual mass choir festivals, the SABC contract orchestra, and pit orchestras for productions such as Fame - the musical.

He has featured on tv shows like Pasella, and radio stations Classic FM & Voice of Soweto. Among the work done for the SABC are the Miss Teen SA pageants.

Also a keen composer, he has written music scores for several productions. One of the films, Escudo, received a Golden Horn at the 1st SAFTA awards. More successes are the films Pinky Pinky (SAFTA Golden Horn nominee) and Orange Sky. Other compositions, such as the various transcriptions for solo violin, are popular sellers. His compositions are available on scoreexchange.com. Alternatively click on the Compositions tab above.

Gabriël has gone on concert tour in the Eastern-Western Cape with the tenor, Jean Frederic, with great success. They have performed together works such as Schumann's iconic Dichterliebe and other operatic works of Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi.

His debut album – Piano Tribute – was recorded in June-July 2013 at Maranatha Record Company. Piano Tribute is a classical/gospel CD with songs such as Via Dolorosa, Amazing Grace and beautifully written Hymn medleys.

His second album, Piano Creation, was released in September 2016. For more about the CD, including downloads and orders, click on the Albums tab above.

He is currently working on two new Albums.

He  has held various  church organist & music director  positions in  Pretoria and Stellenbosch. He  is a member of SAKOV (South African Church Organist Association). As organist he frequently played for funerals, weddings and other occasions. In August 2014 he was awarded a study bursary by SAKOV. He advanced his organ qualifications through UNISA under Dr. Mario Nell (SU).

He is married to Lenné Oberholzer, who is an artist. When he is not busy with his various projects he enjoys reading, playing Bassoon, and training Kung Fu.

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