Vocal Training

VOCAL TRAINING

Virtual Private Lessons
Masterclasses (Virtual & Live)
Coachings: South African Vocal Music

Goitsemang is a distinguished opera singer and performer of Pan-African art music. She has experience teaching singers from a wide range of vocal genres

Goitsemang Lehobye is a South African opera singer known for her powerful and expressive performances. In 2024, Goitsemang earned her Doctor of Voice Performance, performed at the Finnish National Opera and made her Carnegie Hall debut, establishing herself as a rising star in the opera world. A graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Cape Town, Lehobye has established herself as a prominent soprano with a versatile repertoire spanning classical and contemporary works in the Western and Pan-African repertoire. Originally from Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa, her operatic journey began with the South African Black Tie Ensemble’s "Incubator" Scheme. In addition to her stage work, Lehobye is a passionate advocate for arts education and the promotion of diversity within the classical music industry.

Our virtual private voice lessons are highly personalized, working with students to reach their unique musical goals. Pan-African art songs, operas and oratorios incorporate a diverse range of African styles of singing with elements of Western classical and operatic singing. We believe that any singer in the world can celebrate, study and perform Pan-African art music. Our repertoire will challenge any singer with unique forms and styles of art music, exposure to African languages, and new ways of approaching and interpreting music.

Pan-African art music integrates two main aspects: Pan-Africanism and art music.  
Pan-Africanism connects Africa and Afro-diasporic musical traditions, transcending geographical boundaries. Pan-African art music is broadly defined as art music that is distinctly “African” and sounds African. It is an inclusive term and concept which references art music compositions that draw on African/Afrocentric musical resources, processes, approaches and elements including rhythms, language, melodies, harmonic ideas, compositional structures and instruments. Professor Kofi Agawu defines art music as “music self-consciously composed by individuals, often notated, usually rehearsed, and performed by skilled practitioners for non-participating or minimally participating audience.” 

We believe that anyone in the world can study and perform Pan-African art music, which has the power to expand musical, social, cultural, emotional, spiritual and intellectual horizons. 

Several contemporary African operas, oratorios and song cycles have emerged from across the continent and diaspora in recent years. Pan-African vocal art music represents a vibrant and evolving genre that merges traditional African musical elements with Western operatic and art song forms. These works often incorporate indigenous languages, and storytelling techniques, reflecting Africa's rich cultural tapestry while addressing contemporary themes and issues. African operas often draw on epic tales, folklore or historical events, creating a unique narrative style that bridges cultural divides.These operas, song cycles and vocal works contribute to a dynamic and diverse global music landscape, highlighting Africa's artistic innovation and cultural heritage.

Traditional African vocal music and folk songs are vital components of the continent's rich cultural heritage, characterized by their deep connection to community life, storytelling, and spiritual practices. These musical forms often feature intricate vocal harmonies, call-and-response patterns, and rhythmic elements that reflect the diverse languages and traditions of various African regions. Folk songs serve as a means of preserving history, expressing communal values, and celebrating life events such as births, weddings, and rites of passage. Through their dynamic and participatory nature, traditional African vocal music and folk songs continue to play a central role in both daily life and ceremonial occasions, embodying the essence of African cultural identity and continuity.