Kevin KRAAK
After studying organ and harpsichord under Prof Shirley Gie at the University of Cape Town, Kevin began a career in the orchestral, choral and musical theatre worlds in Johannesburg. His musical theatre credits include The Lion King; The Phantom of the Opera; The Sound of Music International Tour (2014-15 New Zealand and China) and again as Musical Director (2017-2018 Manila, Singapore, Macau, Colombo, Johannesburg, Cape Town); Singin In The Rain International Tour (2015-2016 New Zealand, Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Johannesburg); Annie The Musical (Associate Musical Director) Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Associate Musical Director); Chicago The Musical International Tour (2018-2020 New Zealand, China, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Germany, Austria) – and as Musical Director on the China tour 2019-2020.
Kevin has been a member of both the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. He has appeared as a soloist on organ with both orchestras. Opera highlights include two premieres, working as assistant conductor to German maestro Jonas Alber on Bogani Ndodana-Breen’s Winnie The Opera (a biographical opera about the life of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, second wife of former South African President, Nelson Mandela) which was directed by Shirley-Jo Finney. The second was Nélida Béjar’s This New Ocean under German maestro Anton Zapf. As a member of the South African Ballet Theatre Sinfonia, highlights include Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet as well as Bizet’s Carmen.
On the choral music front, Kevin worked first as assistant to Renette Bouwer at the University of Johannesburg Choir, touring Europe with them in 2006. During this time, he also conducted the University of Cape Town Choir on successive national tours in 2005 and 2006. He was accompanist of the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, and also frequently accompanied the Chanticleer Singers on organ, both choirs under the direction of Richard Cock. He has also been the director of the Ars Nova Consort as well as The Evensong Singers.
Kevin was invited to be a guest lecturer at the University of Alabama in the USA in 2013, presenting lectures and workshops and also radio interviews on South African choral music from both the Western and Folk traditions. For the occasion he was commissioned to write ‘Four Prayers From Africa’ for the university’s chamber choir. Kevin returned to the university in 2014 to deliver more lectures and workshops. He continues to compose choral music. Kevin has also composed for television and film.
Kevin has been a member of both the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. He has appeared as a soloist on organ with both orchestras. Opera highlights include two premieres, working as assistant conductor to German maestro Jonas Alber on Bogani Ndodana-Breen’s Winnie The Opera (a biographical opera about the life of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, second wife of former South African President, Nelson Mandela) which was directed by Shirley-Jo Finney. The second was Nélida Béjar’s This New Ocean under German maestro Anton Zapf. As a member of the South African Ballet Theatre Sinfonia, highlights include Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet as well as Bizet’s Carmen.
On the choral music front, Kevin worked first as assistant to Renette Bouwer at the University of Johannesburg Choir, touring Europe with them in 2006. During this time, he also conducted the University of Cape Town Choir on successive national tours in 2005 and 2006. He was accompanist of the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, and also frequently accompanied the Chanticleer Singers on organ, both choirs under the direction of Richard Cock. He has also been the director of the Ars Nova Consort as well as The Evensong Singers.
Kevin was invited to be a guest lecturer at the University of Alabama in the USA in 2013, presenting lectures and workshops and also radio interviews on South African choral music from both the Western and Folk traditions. For the occasion he was commissioned to write ‘Four Prayers From Africa’ for the university’s chamber choir. Kevin returned to the university in 2014 to deliver more lectures and workshops. He continues to compose choral music. Kevin has also composed for television and film.