About The Author

Sandy Bigara has lived a life revolving around art, music and live performance since she was a small child; appearing at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theater at the age of four. She has run a highly successful music school ‘The Bigara Talent Factory’ since 1999. From 2002 – 2007 she worked in the public and private school sector teaching a combination of Music and Drama, including being Director of Music and Drama at St Henry’s Marist Brothers in Glenwood. Her passion and talent lie in Music teaching (Music Theory, Vocal, Piano, Keyboard, Guitar and Performance) script writing and stage direction, she is also an acrylic and mixed media Artist.

MUSIC

Sandy was schooled in the apprentice fashion and studied under musicians of great influence, namely:
A lifetime friendship and broad music tutorage by Jenny Bonsignore: One of Durban’s finest music teachers and the head of music at NorthlandsGirls High School.

Music Theory ABRSM with Durand Abraham: a Fulbright Scholar and recipient of the FOYSA Award for Four Outstanding Young South Africans – currently working at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

Vocal training and Choral Director training by Gerard’d Du Toit: the conductor of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Youth Choir, who was awarded "Outstanding conductor of the year" by the South African Choral Society and until recently was Musical Director at Michaelhouse in Balgowan; currently Music Director at Hermannsburg Deutshe School.

After 9 years as a Natal Representative for singing, and after touring Europe as Assistant Conductor of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Youth Choir, Sandy enrolled at the Marc PoupardSchool of Music where she was fully trained as a Bella Canto singer specializing in Aria Antiche, Art Song and Folk Song. She received an award from the Italian Consulate for her efforts in the Aria Category of the Queensburgh Eisteddfod and was the title holder of the Aria Antiche Trophy awarded by the Societa Dante Alighieri in Durban.

She was invited as a special guest to a Master Class with Emma Rienzi at UKZN Opera Studio.

For a short time she studied under Senior Lecturer, Coleen Philp, of the Opera Studio and Choral Academy at UKZN.

Sandy has now teamed up with Durban Diva Pinkie Mtshali and they are collaborating to bring some of the most well loved songs to Durban’s audience.

Sandy also had the honour of teaching a voice class at the ChoralAcademy; she has a passion for vocal and musical growth and has performed multiple genres, Jazz, RnB, Hip Hop, Pop, and Gospel...only a select few have heard her Yodel!

DRAMA/THEATRE

Sandy’s dramatic studies were theoretical and practical, she spent five years performing under the skillful hand of Rod Steenhuisen in the Northwood Plays (Some of our countries most talented artists found their feet performing in these plays – Colin Moss, Karen Wood, John Ellis, Cherise Roberts, Shanthan Pillay, Anne Bonsignore) After completing high school, Sandy attended CBI where she met and studied under drama lecturer Janine Milne – Janine encouraged Sandy to grow her script writing ability and to follow her dreams, training her in practical script development and stage presentation for two years. Another influential person in Sandy’s drama growth was Laurel McCullough (Pumpkin Patch, ZET) who also encouraged and taught her at various workshops and Soul Survivor gatherings, Laurel’s comical applications and passion for young people’s theater have left a lasting impression on Sandy’s writing style and focus.
 

BODY OF WORK

Sandy’s educational plays for young audiences have entertained over 350,000 children since the launch of her show company Paw Paw Productions SA in 2008, combining educational content, comedy, action and games, her shows have thrilled even the youngest of audiences...and their teachers.

From her first piano composition at the age of four, Sandy has written over 40 classical pieces, three of which have been performed by the KZN Provincial Choir and over 80 contemporary pieces; Her Christian songs have been sung in churches across KZN.

She travelled to Australia in December 2009 and had the pleasure of performing songs from her album ‘Braveman’ for people there.

Sandy’s Music School The Bigara Talent Factory has trained some of SA’s finest performers. Including David Schlachter winner of SA’s Mnet High School Musical, and Thulile Zama of Heels over Head fame.

Sandy is currently in the process of publishing her first novel “Thorngate” and it’s sequel, and submits musings to her popular blog www.sandyramblings.blogspot.com as much as possible.

Sandy is married to Francis Doherty-Bigara and is the mother of two wonderful little girls, Savanna (01/2008) and Kelsey (07/2010)