Meet Anna: A Soprano from Tapestry Choir with a Love for dogs and tattoos!

1. What is your name?

Anna

2. How long have you been a member of Tapestry Choir, and what inspired you to join?

I have been part of Tapestry Choir since its inception in February 2024, and I joined because I was looking for a new choir to join after being part of the Wits Choir for 12 years. I wanted to follow our conductor, Dalene Hoogenhout, into her latest project, which happened to be Tapestry Choir.

3. Can you share a memorable moment or performance with the choir that stands out to you?

A memorable moment with Tapestry Choir so far has been our latest church performance at St Peter's by the Lake - the way the choir is starting to blend and make beautiful music together truly, really, inspires me to work even harder.

4. What voice group do you sing in the choir, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I'm a soprano, typically a soprano 1, but recently I've enjoyed exploring second soprano as well. I love the challenges of singing the higher parts and the harmonies that support the other vocal parts.

5. How has being part of Tapestry Choir impacted your personal or professional life?

Being part of Tapestry Choir has had a really positive impact on my life. It's not just about singing; it's a chance to connect with awesome people who share my passion. I've seen a big improvement in my mental well-being and my creativity, thanks to being a part of this amazing group.

6. What is your favourite song to perform with the choir, and why?

My favourite song is ‘A choral Amen’ because although it looks simple, it demands a great deal of control, vocal blending and listening to perform well.

7. Can you describe a typical rehearsal session with Tapestry Choir?

A typical rehearsal with Tapestry Choir usually starts off with a quick warm-up session, both for body and voice.

We then dive into our repertoire, polishing and refining specific passages and working in depth on tricky spots. We don’t usually learn new material in rehearsal, so much as we work on the sound and precision of interpretation.

Much of the rehearsal is usually spent standing in front of the stage, sometimes we will also move throughout the space to work on projection and listening.

8. What do you think makes Tapestry Choir unique compared to other choirs?

What sets us apart from other choirs is our unique mix of repertoire and performance style. Our combination of discipline, creativity, and focus makes us stand out, especially since we are independent from any institution or company.

9. How do you prepare for a performance, both individually and as a group?

In order to properly prepare for a performance, singers usually make an effort to get together in separate voice groups to rehearse weak spots or simply run through the program. Personally speaking, a good warm-up is essential, as well as some mental focus.

10. What advice would you give to someone considering joining a choir like Tapestry?

If you are considering joining Tapestry Choir, all I can say is welcome and have fun! We love sharing our music with new faces, the more the merrier!

11. Can you share 4 fun facts or something interesting about yourself that your fellow choir members might not know?

Here are 4 fun facts about me:

1. I have two dogs who are like my children.

2. I was born in Germany, and I have lived in SA since 2012.

3. My dream job has always been to work in pathology.

4. I have 11 tattoos and counting.