Riaan studied singing with Prof. Hermann Le Roux (San Francisco Conservatory of Music, USA) (International Voice Institute), Ernst Labuschagne, Kammersingerin Dr. Mimi Coertse, Carla Pohl and Isabella Eksteen (UP/TUT). He studied the Speech Level Singing technique with Brett Manning (leading ‘Speech Level Singing’ coach, U.S.A.), as well as the “Vocal Release Approach’ with Eric Frey (leading ‘Vocal Release’ coach, Chicago, U.S.A.)
He was an active participant in master-classes with, amongst others, Pierre du Toit (TUT), Lize Thomas (TUT), Lorianne Havemann-DuToit (TUT), Ravonne Swart, Emma Renzi, Nellie du Toit, Marita Napier, Deon van der Walt and Prof. Svein Bjørkøy (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo).
He also received master-classes in Contemporary Singing / Musical Theatre from Keith Galloway, Delia Sainsbury, Barry Prince (Waterfront Theatre School), Jeremy Ward, Ed Walker, John Gardyne, Mark Stringer, Bob Cheeseman and Ken Pickering (Trinity Guildhall, London).
Experience:
As Counter-tenor/Male soprano, Riaan made his opera debut in Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ (Cherubino), ‘Die Zauberföte’ (Queen of the Night) and oratorio debut in the Bach’s ‘Magnificat’.
He regularly performed as male soprano / counter-tenor in various opera and oratorio productions throughout South Africa and San Francisco
His performance experience includes pop, cabaret, opera, oratoria and musical theater. He has performed in theaters, recitals, choirs, contests and festivals throughout South Africa
He is a former member and soloist of the National Youth Choir of South Africa and National Chamber Choir of South Africa, San Francisco Opera Company and San Francisco Lyric Opera Company. He appeared as soloist with the former National Chamber Orchestra (NCO), New Arts Philharmonic, Baroque 2000 and the Drakensberg Boy’s Choir.
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