Yvonne-Marié Brand commenced her tertiary studies in 2002 at the University of the Free State, graduating with a BMus in 2005 and a BMus Hons in 2006. In 2008, she graduated from the University of Cape Town with an MMus (dissertation and trumpet performance). In 2011, Yvonne-Marié completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. She earned her DMus (dissertation and trumpet performance) from North-West University in 2016.

Yvonne-Marié has been a finalist in major soloist competitions in the country. She was also awarded by the National Band Association of America for outstanding performance and leadership. She was the principal trumpet player of the National Youth Orchestra for numerous years. Her other orchestral experience includes performing with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Festival Orchestra, Free State Symphony Orchestra, Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra.

She taught brass at Bishops Diocesan College, WPPS and Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Cape Town for several years before being appointed to the North-West University’s School of Music and Conservatory in July 2013. Since her appointment, she has established and grown the brass department within the NWU School of Music to one of the country’s largest university brass departments.

Yvonne-Marié served as the director of the NWU School of Music since September 2016, completing her term at the end of October 2023. Under her leadership, the NWU School of Music developed into one of the country’s most dynamic tertiary music departments and is also one of the largest in terms of student numbers. During her term, noteworthy contributions included the expansion and diversification of academic offerings, the strengthening of the internationalisation network through formal agreements, and the enhanced academic profile of the full-time lecturers.

Yvonne-Marié is currently a Senior Lecturer and teaches trumpet and brass pedagogy at the NWU School of Music. Her students perform well and are often selected as finalists and orchestra members for several national competitions, chamber groups, and orchestras.

[2024-07-30]