Simone van Niekerk

BIO

Simone van Niekerk
“Everything you touch turns to gold” These are the words that have inspired and kept the dreams of a young, passionate musician enthusiast alive, as she is reminded of them by her mother.
Music, the heartbeat of her home. Her Dad had introduced her and her sisters into the art of music from a young age. Her musical journey began with the piano, but it was the bass guitar and drums that instinctively drew her. She began by learning three notes and discovered a unique ability to further develop her musical knowledge by having a natural ear. Her curiosity presented opportunities to join the school band and the Church worship team, when others were unavailable to play bass guitar and drums in the respective establishments initially, but it was soon after that she became a permanent member in these establishments.
In 2010 she had the opportunity of hearing Saxophonist, Curtis Kettledas performing live. It was then when she found the instrument that accessed the many facets of her musical world. She attended a few lessons in 2014 to prepare her for her music audition at UKZN, and in 2015 began her formal education at UKZN which she completed in 2018 and continues to further her education formally, and through the many musical mentors she encounters.
She has served her community in ministering through her horn, and in imparting her knowledge to generations younger and older than her. She has shared the stage with the likes of Dr.Tumi (who is a role model to her), Planetshakers, Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, Debbie Mari, Neil Gonsalves, Neville D, Idols winner Vincent Bones. She has played with Professor Salim Washington, Burton Naidoo, Trumpeter: Faya Faku, Idols Winner Noma Khumalo, Siyalo Zulu, Roderick McKay, Nosihe Zulu and Themba Mokoena and Billy Monama during a jam session at a workshop. She also had the privilege of being mentored by John Legend’s Saxophone player and was taught by Jazz award winner; Sibusiso Mash Mashilioane. She was a part of the production for the “Dolphins by Starlight” at Ushaka Marine world (2018), and has been a part of the UKZN Big Band since 2015. She had the opportunity of putting together

a band and playing for Mrs. South Africa finalist in 2019. She also played at the playhouse in Durban on two occasions and is featured on the Acoustiq Assassins, Nozipho Azare-Jamar and Chadwick J Eps. She was Guest speaker at Maritzburg Christian School’s Speech night in 2019. She played for the Philharmonic Orchestra in December 2019 at the Hilton College theatre. She also found herself playing for the Icebolethu Funeral services (event) at the Durban ICC and on the same night in December 2019 joined Nomalanga Hlubi at the Winston Churchill Theatre, sponsored by Arts and Culture.
Simone van Niekerk hosted her first official show in 2019 called “Simply Complexed” during her final exams and managed to pull a crowed of over 650 people. In 2020 she began her Internship at Hilton College school. She has played for several events during 2020, and one that stood out the most was playing for the Nathan Julius Concert at the Hilton College Theatre in February this year and participating in the City wide Prayer at the City Hall during “lockdown” earlier this, among other virtual shows and concerts that she participated in, such as the “Pray for the Nations” worldwide organisation, aiming to bring about peace and unity. In July 2020 she performed (virtually) for UKZN.
She is a part of the Hilton College orchestra, and has recently begun directing the Jazz band at Hilton College, among other activities that she is currently involved in. While being a key role player in the Hilton College Big and, she journeys on conducting a Musical called “A Night in Soweto” She is passionate about what she does, and aims to continue to becoming great. She aims to also be an inspiration to many, by imparting greatness into different lives.
She enjoys teaching and playing with musicians of all kinds. She also enjoys learning all genres, but often finds herself drawing towards Gospel. Simone aims to give back to the community as much as she can. She aims to be “respected” rather than “famous” in the music field, and world. She would like to invest in building a community hospital, and music school when she is stable. She also plans on investing in building church buildings and rehabilitation centres.
She has recently completed her PGCE and is currently teaching Music, Life Orientation, and History at Hilton College. Simone remains consistent in serving her community and being a session artist in her spare time.