Michelle Veenemans hails from the well-known South African Veenemans-soprano family. She is the fourth soprano following in the footsteps of her renowned mother, soprano Barbara Veenemans, her celebrated aunt Leonore Veenemans, and her famous uncle, boy soprano Bennie Veenemans.
Michelle made her singing debut at the age of three in a concert alongside her mother, Barbara, and the late South African bass Rudi Neitz, singing the Afrikaans Art Song Sproetenooi by composer PJ Lemmer as well as a well-known Russian Folk Song, Liefste Madeleine made legendary famous by her aunt Leonore, with piano accompaniment.
She has had vast exposure to South Africa's opera world and attended her first opera, Mozart's Don Giovanni at the age of three watching her mother perform the role of Zerlina. She grew up behind stage and attended numerous opera rehearsals and performances, receiving an invaluable music education.
As from the age of 15, she sang in various concerts alongside her mother covering a repertoire of light classical arias and duets and performing at various prestige occasions. She received her initial vocal training from her mother, specialising in performance, interpretation, and vocal technique.
In 1992, Michelle moved to Bonn Germany for three years where she received vocal training from German soprano Anita Nobel. Simultaneously, she received training in ensemble singing at the Musikschule in Bonn also under direction of Ms Nobel, where she specialised in oratorio. She studied vocal technique for 12 years with South African tenor and international opera director, George Kok. Michelle is currently a vocal student of renowned opera diva Barbara Veenemans. Michelle holds a Masters Degree in German Literature from the University of Pretoria.
In 2007, she received Master Classes from British tenor and opera director Lawrence Dale.
She has three CD recordings to her credit.
Highlights
During the past few years, Michelle has established herself as one of South Africa's most successful classical concert artists, performing an extensive repertoire ranging from opera, operetta, lieder, oratorio, to musicals.
In Germany, Michelle performed in various concerts including oratorio performances of Pergolesi's Stabat mater (one of her personal favourites). Whilst in Germany, Michelle was invited to perform for the then South African President FW de Klerk's wife, Marike de Klerk, during their State visit to Germany. In 2000, Michelle held an oratorio concert tour in Germany performing various oratorio arias with organ and flute in Bonn and Cologne.
During her 6-month stay in London UK, Michelle was inter alia invited by the South African High Commissioner to perform at the Women’s Day Celebrations held at South Africa House in 1998.
Performance highlights in South Africa include various appearances for Eddie Davey's Musica Festiva in the concert series It's Opera and Organ Fanfare singing various opera and operetta arias, duets and ensembles.
She performed for Ballet Theatre Afrikan under the direction of the famous ballet choreographer Martin Schönberg as lead-soprano in the Hooked on Classics production in Johannesburg. During 2008 she performed under Schönberg's direction in the gala concert Revelation – Dance for a Cure staged at the State Theatre in Pretoria and again during August 2009 at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg.
She especially excelled in the demanding concert series Flair performing in costume, dramatised, and staged arias from the operas and operettas. Other performances include intimate concerts at Opera at Montpellier de Tulbagh, Concerts on Congo, and Christmas performances for the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa.
Michelle stages at least twice a year her own concerts and regular features on her calendar are the annual and much loved Easter and Christmas Concerts. She is also involved in many charity concert projects.
Michelle is a regular performer at various corporate and corporate government functions and frequently performs at various Women's Day Celebrations. A significant highlight was to sing for a previous South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki to an audience of 4,000.
In 2006, she sang the role of Die Königing der Nacht in Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte for Pro Musica Productions at the Roodepoort Theatre under the baton of Weiss Doubell. She also sang the same role in Namibia for Classic Music Productions to great acclaim at the National Theatre of Namibia in 2006.
Michelle performed at the corporate launch of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Musical The Boys in the Photograph (The Perfect Game) in the Joburg Theatre (previously known as the Johannesburg Civic Theatre), which will be staged in South Africa in 2010 during the World Cup Soccer Event.
She most recently peformed with the famous Dutch trumpeter, 14-year old Melissa Venema, during her tour to South Africa in July / August 2009. They performed together in Bloemfontein and Pretoria under the auspices of Fanie Smit and RSG.
General
At the age of 18, Michelle received the trophy for the best overall singer at the Pretoria Music Festival. She also received trophies for best English Art Song and for the best rendition of an Operetta aria.
In 2007, the Pretoria Music Society honoured Michelle for "her continuous promotion of music (Category Opera) through the years and for the preservation of music culture and to share with others the art of the voice. You are regarded as a music ambassador for South Africa."
She was recently honoured with the prestigious Vocational Award from the Waterkloof Rotary Club, recognising her long association with the club and her continued willingness to perform at charity events for underprivileged children.
Michelle occasionally acts as vocal coach for young singers and has been asked to adjudicate several eisteddfods and music festivals.
In addition to music, Michelle is also an ardent sportswoman. She has a black belt in karate and has won several championship gold medals. A significant highlight was to win the South African Championships in Kumite. She loves horse riding and enjoys an occasional excursion on horseback through the many nature reserves in South Africa. "It is definitely the best way to admire Africa’s wildlife".
