UPYC Staff

Artistic Director: Lhente-Mari Pitout

Lhente-Mari Pitout is a passionate musician and music educator in the rich traditions of the South African choral field. She works as a musician, conductor and adjudicator in both classical and contemporary genres. She regularly travels to Europe and North America to work as choral clinician or adjudicator at National and International Festivals. She has been awarded numerous prizes for her contributions to the arts as a singer and conductor.

Apart from conducting UP Youth Choir from 2005, she is also the conductor of the highly prestigious and awarded Pretoria Boys High School Choir and the St Alban’s College Choir and Barbershop. She is the Co-Founder of the South African Youth Music and Arts Development Foundation and the Music Director of the St. Mary's Singers.

She represented South Africa in the World Youth Choir and World Chamber Choir for six years touring and performing in over 15 countries.

Working and singing with renowned conductors at a young age from across the globe shaped her into one of the most highly esteemed female educators and choral conductors in South Africa. From a young age this massive influence on her as a young musician, made her realize the importance of working with singers in South Africa through choral music education.

Some of these musicians include Frieder Bernius, Tonu Kaljuste, Kåre Hanken, Robert Sund, María Guinand, André Thomas, Paul Smith, Anton Armstrong, Philippe Eskerei, Peter Erdei, Gary Graden, Steve Zegree, Michelle Weir, Roberto Gini, Peter Deijkstra, Volker Hempfling, Nobuaki Tanaka, Bobby McFarrin.

She served on numerous boards including the World Youth Choir, and acts as representative of UNESCO, with the title Ambassador of Good Will, World Chamber Choir.

Lhente-Mari is very passionate about the development of the Arts in South Africa, teaching students, singers and artists the expression and realization of dreams and ideas through the performing arts.  

Assistant Conductor: Herman Swanepoel