S'celo Chris Njapha

Biography

Sicelo Christopher Njapha graduated with a BMus (Bachelor of Music) degree from Stellenbosch University’s Music Department in 2020, where he studied under the tutelage of Babette Roosenschoon.

Chris began his formal music lessons at the age of 15, first with the violin for two years, then switching to the cello, taught by Nigel Fish at the Durban Music School. Having made unusually fast progress, in Stellenbosch he participated in masterclasses with world renowned cellists David Cohen (2019), Alexander Buzlov (2018) and Norman Fischer (2017). In 2019, he attended a Summer Music Course in Semmering, Austria – the ISA 19-Internationale Sommerakademie and had masterclasses with Miklos Perenyi, Xenia Jankovic, Jerome Pernoo and Reinhard Latzko.

Chris was principal cellist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and member of the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra. And was the 2021 rising star performer in the Endler hall concert series.  

Chris has recently been awarded with a partial scholarship on his acceptance to the Manhattan School of Music in New York and is due to begin his studies for a Master of Music degree in September 2021. He will study with Marion Feldman. He was also a semi-finalist in the 3rd UNISA National String Competition in 2021.