Rineke Viljoen initially pursued a career in Law at North-West University, where she earned her LLB degree in 2012. Driven by her passion for music, she however transitioned to a new path and completed her BMus (cum laude) in 2016, specialising in Piano Performance under Prof Waldo Weyer. In 2018, she completed her Master’s degree in Musicology (MMus) under Prof Albi Odendaal. During her MMus studies, she was selected for a six-month academic exchange programme at the Kungliga Musikhögskolan (Royal College of Music) in Stockholm, Sweden. Rineke is currently enrolled for a PhD in Musicology at the NWU, with her research focused on developing aural training in South African tertiary music studies.

Before her full-time appointment as a lecturer in Music Theory and Aural Training at the NWU in 2021, where she teaches across all programmes, Rineke served as a part-time lecturer at the same institution for six years. Concurrently, she was a full-time piano lecturer at the Potchefstroom Gymnasium Music Centre from 2014. From 2010 to 2023, Rineke also conducted the North-West Youth Choir (NWYC), leading the ensemble on international tours, including performances at the World Choir Games in Latvia (2014) and Tshwane (2018), as well as the Fiestalonia Choral Festival in Spain (2016).

Rineke is deeply passionate about teaching and learning. In recognition of her dedication, she received an NWU Faculty of Humanities Teaching and Learning Award in 2023. In the same year, she was honoured with the Exceptional Teaching and Learning Award at the NWU Faculty of Humanities awards ceremony. She often partakes in teaching and learning workshops, including teaching with technology. Currently, Rineke also serves as the coordinator of the KMH-NWU International Exchange Programme.

Rineke Viljoen is an accomplished accompanist, arranger, adjudicator, and organist. She serves as the regional representative for the South African Church Organists’ Association (SAKOV). She was furthermore a member of the Aarklop awards panel in 2023.

Rineke’s diverse expertise in music extends to her involvement in various conferences. She presented a paper at the Pan African Society for Music Education conference in Seychelles (2019). At the SAKOV Regional Conference in Potchefstroom (2024), she discussed church organ improvisation techniques. She was invited to present the same topic and a workshop at the SAKOV National Conference in George (2024).

Rineke’s extensive skill set, spanning performance, teaching, adjudication, and organisational roles, highlights her dedication to advancing the field of music and her significant impact on the musical community.

[2024-08-01]