About Tapestry Choir

Dalene’s lifelong commitment to education has been the cornerstone of her illustrious career. A graduate of Wits University with a Bachelor of Music degree, Dalene majored in Education before furthering her academic journey, earning an Honours degree in Education with distinction from the Rand Afrikaans University, now known as the University of Johannesburg. From the tender age of eighteen, Dalene took the baton to lead her first choir. Over the years, she has directed a variety of choirs, including the Kingsmead Girls’ Choir, the Raucall Choir, The Duke of Cornwall Singers and the Boys’ College Choir of St Stithians College, the Standard Bank Gallery Singers, and the Johannesburg Chamber Choir. For three decades, from 1994 to 2023, she served as the conductor and mentor of the Wits Choir, the official choir of the University of the Witwatersrand. Under her guidance, the choir emerged as a premier ensemble in South Africa, championing the music of the African continent, especially that of South Africa. Dalene and the Wits Choir took the sounds of Africa to countless audiences and choirs both at home and abroad through various tours and outreach initiatives. In her role as an educator, Dalene has adopted a comprehensive approach to choir singing. She strives for musical excellence while fostering a culture of mutual respect and appreciation among choir members, audiences, and fellow musicians. Her leadership extends beyond performance; it’s about building a community that honours every individual’s contribution. Dalene’s vision as a conductor and music educator has been to acquaint choir members and audiences with the rich musical heritage of South Africa and Africa at large, cultivating a deep respect and ensuring its prominence on the global stage. As an arranger, Dalene has contributed to the preservation and dissemination of African music through her publication, “Folk Songs of South Africa Volumes 1 – 4,” a collaborative effort with  Kenney Potter, published by Wingate University Music Press. Her expertise is widely recognised, leading to frequent invitations to judge at choir festivals, conduct workshops, master classes, and lead massed choirs as a guest conductor. In 2014, she was invited to conduct workshops for the “Singing Black and White” project in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dalene’s passion for sharing knowledge has fostered numerous collaborations with artists and choirs globally, including the Wingate Choir from North Carolina, Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil, Neo Muyanga of Blk Sonshine and Neosong, and the Kokopelli Choir from Canada, among others. Embracing a new venture, Dalene has founded the Tapestry Choir in Johannesburg, a welcoming ensemble for all. The choir is built on three foundational pillars: To honour diversity and strive for excellence within a nurturing and inclusive space. To engage with other choirs and musical groups, sharing the extensive and diverse musical gems of the world. To revel in the joy of singing, a universal language, through collaborative ventures and embracing new challenges.