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Lizanne Barnard

Music Director:

Lowveld Community Orchestra


Lizanne has served as the conductor of the Lowveld Community Orchestra since 2022. Under her direction, the orchestra has grown in both size and artistic quality and has become a vital part of the cultural life of Nelspruit and the broader Mpumalanga region.


Lizanne is a multi-award-winning composer, performer, and pioneer in kleinkuns and musical theatre. She’s released acclaimed solo and collaborative albums, set poetry to music, and performed across SA and Europe. Based in White River, she composes, conducts, and arranges for the Lowveld Community Orchestra.

Rhona le Roux

Chairperson: 

Lowveld Community Orchestra Voluntary Association


Rhona is a music teacher in Nelspruit and is the Chairperson of the Lowveld Community Orchestra Voluntary Association. Rhona is passionate about youth music development and has been actively involved with local NGOs providing music lessons to vulnerable youth in communities in and around Nelspruit .


Rhona is a multi-talented instrumentalist and in addition to teaching piano and keyboard, she also teaches flute, saxophone and recorder. Rhona leads the winds section of the Lowveld Community Orchestra.


Monique Christie

Coordinator: 

Lowveld Development Orchestra


Monique is a music teacher in Nelspruit. Monique is the driving force behind the

Lowveld Development Orchestra and has served as LDO coordinator and conductor since its establishment in 2023.


Monique heads up the strings section of the Lowveld Community Orchestra and in addition to teaching violin to primary and high school learners in Nelspruit, she also manages the strings hub at Nelspruit Primary.

Sbusiso Madonsela

Coordinator: 

Pienaar Brass Hub


Sbu has been a member of the LCO since its establishment in 2013 and heads up the orchestra's brass section. Sbu is a gifted performer and has established himself as a respected and sought-after solo artist in the Lowveld over the last 10 years.  


Sbu is the founder of the Pienaar Brass Hub and has successfully led and managed all activities at the hub since its establishment in 2024.  The hub provides music education and training, as well as access to orchestral performance opportunities for children and youth from the Pienaar community in the Ehlanzeni region. Members of the Pienaar Brass Hub also participate in the Lowveld Development Orchestra.  

The Lowveld Community Orchestra Voluntary Association is registered with SARS as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO number: 930084221) and relies on donations and sponsorships to help fund our activities. The orchestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra through a grant awarded for its 2025/26 financial year.