Kristel Birkholtz is an accomplished musician, having undergone extensive formal training from age 6, which culminated in a BMus degree from Wits (1999), where she majored in performance. She also received numerous awards and prizes during her studies.  Besides being a highly experienced violinist, she is also proficient in piano, flute and singing.

The highlights of her performance career include performing in the Subaru car advert (South Africa) in 2007, playing the lead violin role in various Barnyard Theatre productions including: Beethoven Rocks Again (2003/4), Harvest Moon (2006), Rock Me Amadeus (2006/2008) and Natural Women (2007).  She has made guest appearances on e-TV's Backstage (2005), with Watershed on KykNet (2000) and recently appeared as a violinist on Egoli (2006/7). She does frequent session work for various recording studios and has had the opportunity to perform overseas in Dubai, Botswana and Zambia.

She also has extensive experience in performing for large corporate events and is proficient playing in different musical genres, from classical to jazz, Celtic to rock and funky dance to local African styles.  Music combinations can include: solo violin, violin and backtracks, violin and piano, violin and guitar, or even two violins. Her instruments include acoustic violin, electric violin and a custom-made tin-can electric violin crafted by AfriCan in Cape Town.

She has recently released a contemporary album, Burning Bridges, a play on words which refers to the bridge on the violin. The album consists of solo violin complimented with piano and acoustic guitar accompaniment, with fresh arrangements of well-known classical and jazz tunes.