References
References from Students and Colleagues
Richard Clark, 83
I started alto sax with Bella in the year of my 80th birthday, given an instrument passed to me by my grandson.
Bella's enthusiasm and encouragement coaxed me through the moments of "why am I subjecting myself to this"
to a point where I now play with a real sense of pleasure. Lessons go far beyond technical proficiency, dealing with
the musicology that lies behind each piece, its composer and the interpretation that is considered appropriate.
Mariesa Joubert, 14
In haar lesse skep Bella ‘n baie lekker en energieke atmosfeer. Dit help my om in ‘n ontspanne omgewing my liefde vir musiek uit te leef. Ons gesels oor allerdaagse dinge en maak soms grappies tussendeur. As ek foute in my stukke maak, vra Bella altyd eers vir my wat ek dink verkeerd is. So help sy my om meer te leer. Elke les is interessant op sy eie manier. Annie, haar hond, sing ook af en toe saam, al kry sy nie altyd die wysie reg nie. 😊 Dit bly vir my ‘n positiewe ervaring.
Adrian Schutte, 55
My sweet saxophone journey.
The universe sometimes plays the hand of serendipity and allows the paths of people to cross to bring change in the most pleasant way possible. My paths with Bella crossed in the most unforeseen circumstances as I was looking for a harmonica tutor. As Bella listened to my musical desires she suggested that I investigate the musical path of a saxophonist. Through her patience and guidance and encouragement progress was made and I foresee a long and progressive musical road ahead with such a dedicated, passionate and humble teacher.
Dr Ronelle Bosman (Head of Music Department, Hoërskool Waterkloof)
Ms Divine has been involved in the Music Department of Hoërskool Waterkloof for a number of years. I have come to know her as a loyal and dedicated teacher.
She has always done more than was expected of her, walking the extra mile with her students and exposing them to the broader vision of music-making. She is an enthusiastic saxophonist herself, and her annual student concerts in which she participates with her students are of a high standard.
She is comfortable in various genres and could instil the love for various styles of music-making, rooted in a solid technical foundation, in her students.
Mr Marius du Plessis (Head of Music Department, Crawford College Pretoria)
Bella has taught several students from Crawford College Pretoria who have always produced outstanding results and who were always successfully selected to perform in the annual Crawford College Concerto Festival. Bella has an infectious energy and easy and effectively imparts her wealth of musical knowledge to her students. Her students' performances are always interpretative and personally endorsed, which is a result of her musical insight, musical intelligence and sound interpretative skills.
Bella is an outstanding teacher who is committed to excellence and I highly recommend her as a teacher.
Vincent Jacobs, 14
The lessons with Bella are very entertaining and informative. I started taking lessons from Bella at the start of 2019. In the hour lesson you have per week, Bella gives you pieces, helps you work through them and is the accompanist for all the pieces. Any student from beginner to professional can take lessons with Bella. Bella is a very playful and fun teacher. I love every lesson with her and would suggest all music lovers to join her lessons. I can assure you that her lessons are never boring and that you will love them too.
Heinrich Diedericks, 13
Bella is n baie goeie saxofoon onderwyseres nie net omdat sy haar werk doen nie maar omdat sy die potensiaal van alle leerlinge sien en al haar vermoë gebruik om die leerling se volle potensiaal te laat bereik. Ek sou definitief vir Bella voorstel as enige iemand saxofoon wou leer.
Nina-Mari Grobler, 24
I am a 24-year old student who has been taking lessons from Bella since I was about 16. She is a truly singular and outstanding teacher and she has had a profound impact on my playing and development as a musician. Bella has an exceptional talent for relaying information and ideas in a way that makes them easy to understand and apply. She takes the individual needs and talents of each student into account when teaching and in that way really brings out their best. She taught me how to play with musicality and confidence, which is not something you can learn just anywhere. If you are looking for a one of a kind teacher with a special touch, Bella is the one for you.
Asande Masuku, 18
Miss Divine is a very unique teacher but in a good way. She is always bubbly and happy which really helps to make the lessons more enjoyable. She is very experienced and that is evident in her teachings. She teaches well and does everything to make sure her students are learning how to play the saxophone professionally and to learn to love music. I enjoy her lessons and I recommend her as a saxophone teacher.
Kitso Mojapelo, 14
Ms. B. Divine is a wonderful teacher. She has been teaching me saxophone since grade 5 and she has been teaching me for four years. She helped me through the grades and she has helped me achieve my full potential in everything that I do. She is an excellent teacher and I would recommend her for anyone wanting to do saxophone.
Wouter van Wyk, 57
Nie enige musiekonderwyser kan volwassenes leer om ’n musiekinstrument te speel nie. Nie almal wil grootmense probeer leer nie. Bella wil, en sy kan. Ek is baie bly dat ek as volwassene na een jaar se saksofoonlesse by Bella uitgekom het. Sy het my gehelp om van net anderkant beginnersvlak te ontwikkel tot op ’n gevorderde vlak. Sy het my geleer om goeie klank te maak en altyd na die musikale lyne op te let. Sy het my by haar saksofoongroep, die Sax Outfit, betrek en geleentheid gegee om saam met ander leerlinge in die openbaar op te tree. Sy maak dit lekker om saksofoon te speel!
Talita Smith (10-18)
Bella is such a unique and colourful teacher. Her passion and detail for music has made such a huge impact on my life. When I started taking lessons with Bella at 10 years old, I was incredibly shy; but gradually, with Bella’s guidance and encouragement, I stepped out of my comfort zone. Her patience, encouragement, and passion for music inspired me and made me discover my love for music and performance. Bella is such an amazing mentor, both musically and emotionally, and I am really grateful for all the valuable things that I’ve learned from her over the years.