b'Solo ArtistMATHAPELO MATABANE was eleven years old when she started playing the violin. She had a strong desire to play the viola, to which she switched in 1998 when she joined Buskaid. Singing with Buskaid happened spontaneously. The idea was inspired by the singing of members during bus trips to pass time as they travelled from one place to another on tour. In South Africa, it is commonplace for bus and train commuters using public transport to sing during their journeys. Mathapelos success in combining vocals with string arrangements evolved from not only singing African secular music and traditional hymns, but also from singing cover versions of songs by legends such as Nina Simone and Etta James. Her love for singing continued to grow so much that at the age of 34 she made the life-changing decision to leave her permanent job as a qualified interior designer. She enrolled full-time at the University of the Witwaterstrand for a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz vocals, receiving vocal lessons for the first time in 2018. Mathapelo will be completing her Honours this year and wishes to continue her studies abroad.princetonsymphony.org/ 12'