Violin teacher Marie Jean Kotzé lives in Welkom, Orange Free State and the success of her students speak for themselves.

10 of her students have been accepted for the former National Sanlam Competition in Cape Town, 1 student was in the finals of this National competition in 2006 (Donne de Kock), 2 students won the Musicon String Competition in Bloemfontein in 2006 and 2007 (Donne de Kock and Carli De Alibout), 5 students were accepted for National MIAGI Youth Orchestra, 2008 and 2009, and students were also included in the MIAGI tour to Berlin in 2009.

Her students are top achievers in Unisa, and Trinity music exams and 4 students have been accepted at Youth Concerto Festivals of the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. 1 student was selected to perform at the National Concerto Festival Durban in 2008 (Donne De Kock).

Marie Jean matriculated in Dundee and studied B.A.Mus at the University of the Free State. After graduating she completed a Higher Diploma in Education (UFS), as well as a University Licentiate Teachers Diploma in Violin from UNISA.

She taught English and Music at Unitas Secondary School in Welkom from 1972-75 and Aurora Primary School from 1975-1985.

Since 1985 to the present, she is a member of staff at the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Technology at the University of the Free State.

Her duties include: String coordinator and senior lecturer of all string sections, conductor and instructor of senior and junior orchestras, administration of office and payments of fees, fundraising, instruction in music theory, preparation of students for competitions (national and regional), and coordinating the outreach string programme in Thabong. 

In 1994 she received the Achievement Recognition Award from the OFS Department of Education.

She is also experienced as Activity Councelor and Instructor due to her involvement at Camp Wawenock, an international Summer Camp in Maine, USA which she attended on a number of occasions since 1967.

An avid sportswoman, Marie Jean Kotze is also a master at the game of Squash having played at championships internationally.

Published 8 June 2012