1. CURRICULUM VITAE & REFERENCES

Short Curriculum Vitae 2026

 

History and Appreciation of Music & Art Courses, Lectures, Workshops and Cruise Ship Talks

Qualifications

B.Mus. (Hons), H.Dip.Ed. (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa)

LTCL (Teacher’s Licentiate, piano and music theory, Trinity College of Music, London)

Advanced Certificate, Piano (Royal Schools of Music, London)

Creative Writing (Medborgarskolan, Stockholm)

 

– 1979: B.Mus (Honours), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA

– 1980: H.Dip.Ed. (Music and English), University of the Witwatersrand

– Participated as choral member and soprano soloist in the University Choir, played the flute in the University Orchestra, and played the organ at St. Martin’s-in-the-Veld Anglican Church, Johannesburg.

– 1980 – 1992: Taught music in various schools, as well as privately (piano, flute, recorder, singing and music theory).

– 1981-1986: Public performances (harpsichord) with various Baroque instrumental ensembles, (specialised in Baroque music and keyboard technique with Carol Newman, Johannesburg.)

– 1981-1987: Music Department of the SABC: Classical Music Programme Compiler and scriptwriter: interviewed musicians and selected the music for Classical music radio programmes.

– 1982: Also a Music Producer: recording, editing and preparing for broadcast the recordings of both local and overseas artists. Participated in the production of television broadcasts, including recitals, opera productions, and the annual International Piano Competition, Pretoria.

– 1982-1988: Flautist in the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and soprano in the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg.

– 1993: Appointed Assistant to SA branch of Impresario Pim Broere Promotions (The Netherlands & New York); organised concert tours and recordings for overseas artists throughout Southern Africa.

– 1996-2010: Presented History and Appreciation of Music and Art lectures and workshops in Jhb, and on a freelance basis to various societies in SA: Jhb City Ballet, Joburg Theatre, Friends of the Artscape Opera Theatre (Cape Town), the Decorative Arts Society, affiliated to The Arts Society /NADFAS (UK) (Jhb, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Somerset West), and Fine and Decorative Arts Society (Cape Town.)

– Presented pre-concert talks for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Linder Auditorium.

– 2010-2026: Presents music and art history lectures and workshops to various interest groups in Stockholm, including the International Women’s Club, the American Women’s Club, the British and Commonwealth Association, the Diplomatic Women’s Club (at the British Ambassador’s Residence), and the Association for the Speakers of English.

• Presentations at the Finnish, British and Hungarian Residences & Embassies, Stockholm.
• Presentations about South Africa at various schools, institutions, and interest groups, Stockholm.
• Lectures presented in London, Milan and Nice. 

2018: Became an accredited lecturer with The Arts Society (formerly NADFAS), UK. Recently resigned.

– Currently: organises the Musical Appreciation Groups for the IWC (International Women’s Club) in Stockholm, Cape Town & Nice.

– Teaches at the Cape Town University (SA) and UK Summer Schools (Marlborough College, Gerrard’s Cross.)

– Presents illustrated talks related to the Arts on cruise ships.

–  Travels widely in Sweden, the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and the USA. Writes cultural travel articles for own online magazine: www.joiedevivremagazine.com and for other magazines.

Completed Cruises:

 

REFERENCES

UCT SUMMER SCHOOL 2023.02.23

Dear Elizabeth

Thank you so very much too for giving your course, Enchanting the Eye and Ear, which was greatly appreciated as you will glean from the comments on the evaluation forms below:

• An absolute feast of music and art!
• Deeply researched with personal knowledge/anecdotes
• Brilliant!
• The entire course was outstanding, all aspects valuable.
• Please ensure that the lecturer returns to present more of her outstanding courses.
• I loved the music listening at the same time as seeing beautiful pics.
• The notes were very informative.
• Enchanting presentation and excellent course notes and slides.
• Elizabeth Handley is excellent. Thank her for the immense amount of work she puts in. Her presentation is precise and clear. An absolute pleasure to listen to her.
• Well presented, very well prepared, researched.
• She is an engaging lecturer and clearly puts a great deal of thought into her lectures.
• Fabulous, interesting topic.
• Very rich topic – so much there!
• Huge research – thank you!
• Enjoyed the entire concept.
• The visuals were very clear and well depicted with enlarged insertions.
• It was all valuable and very well put together.
• I really enjoyed it.
• Wonderfully inspiring experience.
• Enjoyed the music; paintings were of interest.
• A whole new look at art and music.

Now for Mozart next year!

With my very best regards

Medee

---

Marlborough College Summer School 2022: RATING COMMENTS

Excellent         anonymous

Excellent         really interesting, great lecturer and I would definitely be interested in another art/music related course run by Elizabeth Handley.

Excellent         An extremely well-planned course with very interesting content and the tutor engaged all course members. She encouraged participation and discussion. Please engage Elizabeth Handley for future summer schools and especially for music courses. Her communication with the group went far beyond the classroom and her follow-up /response to questions was thorough.

Excellent         meticulously prepared and well-illustrated

Excellent         anonymous

Excellent         Great tutor, great knowledge and presentation skills, lovely learning environment

Excellent         I almost wish I hadn’t shared with so many others how brilliant this course was, I hope I can get on her course next year!

Excellent         Excellent tutor – hope she returns next year

---

University of Cape Town Summer School 2022

10 February 2022

Dear Elizabeth

I am writing to thank you warmly for the outstanding courses you presented at Summer School in January.

On a rating of 1 to 5, with 5 being excellent, all but two participants rated you as a five for the Musical Fingerprints course, and all but four rated your Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn lecture as being excellent.

For both courses the majority of participants noted that they felt intellectually engaged and more informed.

The aspects of the Musical Fingerprints course participants felt were the most valuable included:

• The personal interpretations of the composer’s personalities
• The many short musical excerpts illustrated the points the lecturer was making and added to the learning experience.
• I learnt so much more about the various composers, their history and how they thought. I also loved the music in between.
• Learning about the composers’ lives; comparison of their works
• An engaging introduction to a subject I don’t know much about
• Everything about this course was very valuable.
• A greater understanding of musical structures
• The way in which the course is presented for one like I who cannot read music; the language she uses and articulates her subject grips and holds one’s attention like no other.
• Wonderful comparison with art, history and politics of each era
• Elizabeth’s huge width of knowledge of the subject
• I love the musical excerpts.

Other comments included:

• The course content was outstanding.
• Excellent and engaging course
• Fantastic lecturer – inspirational
• Outstanding
• More from this lecturer – she has an extensive knowledge and imparts it with great enthusiasm.
• Brilliant lecturer
• An utter pleasure.

The aspects of the Fanny and FelixMendelssohn lecture participants felt were the most valuable included:

• Very insightful to music periods
• New insights into listening to music
• Opened up a new composer in the form of Fanny.
• Brining extraneous information
• Combination of biographical facts, musical backgrounds of the siblings; wonderful extracts of works of both.
• New information entertainingly delivered.
• All of it was fascinating
• All of it really interesting.

Comments included the following:

• The slides and musical clips really enhanced an excellent lecture.
• All enjoyable.
• The whole course is appealing.

Many stated that they attended because of the reputation of the lecturer and personal experience of the lecturer.

There was a call for more courses presented by ‘this very polished lecturer’ as well as more of the exploration of music in respect of composers and musicians and more Elizabeth Handley please.

With my best regards

Medee

 

Dr Medee Rall

Head: Centre for Extra-Mural Studies

Development and Alumni Department

University of Cape Town

Tel: 083 707 6420; 021 650 2885

 

---

FROM: MEDEE RALL, Director of the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

---

FROM: MEDEE RALL, Director of the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

---

FROM: MEDEE RALL, Director of the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

---

FROM: JILL SNADDON, Co-chair and Programme Organiser, The Decorative Arts Society of Johannesburg, South Africa

February 2018

Elizabeth is a freelance lecturer on a wide variety of topics pertaining to music and art. Her lectures are supported by PowerPoint presentations and are extremely professional, as is her delivery.

Elizabeth has lectured to diverse audiences both on South Africa and Sweden, where she is currently based.

Elizabeth has lectured to members and guests of the Decorative Arts Society in Johannesburg for many years. She is passionate about teaching and her subjects, which have been enhanced by her travels in Europe and America. This is evidenced by her delivery of her lectures, which are enthusiastically received by her audiences.

---

FROM: H.E. PAUL JOHNSTON, British Ambassador to Stockholm, Sweden

9 August 2017

Dear Elizabeth,

I always enjoyed attending your musical talks in Stockholm, and it’s great to hear that you’re hoping to do some more!

I would be happy for you to quote me as saying the following:

During my time as Ambassador in Stockholm I was fortunate enough to hear Elizabeth Handley give several fascinating talks on the history of classical music. She brought to them great enthusiasm, excellent presentational skills and a lovely sense of humour.

Very best wishes,

Paul

---