MUSIC: ABEL SELAOCOE

CELLIST, Abel Selaocoe, 24, explores the capacity of the cello across many genres, from collaborating with beat-boxers to giving concerto performances and solo classical recitals.

He is studying for a master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. He has worked as a soloist with many orchestras in South Africa.

Being named a Standard Bank Young Artist “came as a surprise. It is an honour to be part of this incredible community of artists. I am very privileged and excited for what is to come.”

On what he plans to bring to this platform, he said: “I am hoping to have a diverse range of styles complement one another in one space. A plethora of styles from Baroque, romantic, folk (African) to contemporary tied together with improvisation. This will be brought to life through the cello, voice and electronics and I also hope to share the stage with a fantastic pianist. Through an open dialogue with the audience about this music that will be played, this will hopefully be a concert to be enjoyed by all people despite age or background.

“If anything, the opportunity inspires me to become the most creative I can be, having the freedom to curate my own programme is a special occasion. It allows me to convey to the audience the artist I would like to be and share my passion in the music I love.”