DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

Eriel’s mission has taken her to more than 30 countries where she has been actively consulting, teaching, and performing. Her life’s work has included social music programs, community development projects, youth leadership initiatives, and peace building endeavours.

Initially trained in piano, ballet, drama, and fine arts in Taiwan, she started violin at the Durban Berea Music and Ballet School. She then expanded into chamber and orchestral music at the National School of the Arts, eventually incorporating music education and music therapy into her repertoire at the University of Pretoria. It was during this time that she was involved in both the UP-Outreach Program as well as the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company, and established the Senior Strings Ensemble in 2006.

In 2013, Eriel relocated to Boston, USA, for the El Sistema Fellowship Program at the New England Conservatory of Music, joining a global cohort of 50 arts educators committed to social justice.

Eriel's recent career highlights include training in negotiation and mediation at the International Peace and Security Institute; guest teaching residencies in Venezuela with the youth orchestras of El Sistema; conflict zone assistance in Afghanistan and Israel/Palestine; post-tsunami reconstruction in Fukushima Japan; music outreach efforts for youth throughout Southern Africa, and international university lectures on ‘Music for Social Change’.

Eriel has been a representative at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, the Nobel Laureate Youth Summit, and the G8 Youth Summit.

As a proud Johannesburg Youth Orchestra alumnus, musician and educator at heart, Eriel is committed to nurturing the next generation of young musicians.

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