Located in Pretoria, South Africa
We have multiple locations in Pretoria. Contact us to find a location near you!
OUR TEACHERS
Wayne Smith (Drums, Guitar)
Wayne is the owner and founder of Life Beat Music Academy. He is a drummer and also teaches guitar. Wayne has more than 15 years of teaching experience. His exposure and years of work at big productions like Skouspel and Miss South Africa ensures that he understands the entertainment and music industry well. Wayne has been a drummer at Unite180 church for 8+ years, he also played drums for the Tuks Kamarate Choir, and has played many gigs in the secular industry. Wayne is passionate about teaching because he believes that a music teacher is more than just a teacher, a music teacher provides council, supports and builds the confidence of students. Wayne is a dad of 4 and enjoys the outdoors and good coffee!
Nikita van Zyl (Vocals, Piano)
Nikita has been singing over 13 years. She studied singing, acting, dancing and musical theatre at the Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town. Nikita then went on to study pop and rock music through the Campus of Performing Arts and also gained her Trinity London Certificate in Advanced Performance. Nikita has trained with the likes of Malie Kelly and has been involved in multiple choirs and competitions. Nikita enjoys teaching vocals and piano because she is passionate about sharing the knowledge, she has gained over the past 13 years. Nikita particularly enjoys working with children and spending time with her loved ones.
Waldo has been playing guitar for 10 years, and 6 of those years his main focus has been on classical guitar. He enjoys learning to play complex pieces and pushes himself by entering as many competitions as he can. When Waldo is not plaing his guitar, he enjoys writing poetry. He enjoys teaching because inspiring his students and spreading the love of music is something that he is really passionate about. A quote he lives by is "Life is too short to listen to the cynics, enjoy what you do because that is what counts."
Joshua’s music journey began at just eight years old. By the age of ten he was already performing in church where his love for rhythm and live performance grew into a lifelong passion. In addition to playing live he works as a session drummer and teacher, guiding students from beginner to advanced levels. He is also an active content creator, producing drum covers and original material that showcase both his technical skill and creative flair. For Joshua, the drums are more than an instrument they are the heartbeat of music. His mission is to inspire others and to prove that with persistance anything is possible. Joshua’s knack for surprises shows in his surprising talent, tying a cherry stem with his tongue, blending the same focus and fun he applies to his music.
Anieke has been playing the drums for 13 years. Drums are not the only instrument that Anieke can play. One of her hobbies include learning to play as many instruments as possible. As of now, she can play 8 different instruments! One of Anieke's highlights during her musical journey was being a part of her high school's orchestra for 4 years where she learned to play classical pieces. She enjoys teaching because sharing her love for music and helping students find their own love for music is important to her. She believes that you should not try to merely change the world, but that you should find something you love, do it everyday, and then the world will change for the better!
Stella started her musical journey in 1999 where she had her first Orchestral experience . She joined the Bochabela String Orchestra where she met a few artists and an opportunity to collaborate with the Violet Orchestra from Belgium and touring around South Africa and Europe. She played for the Free-State Youth Orchestra, Free-State Symphony Orchestra and The South African National Orchestra and also had a tour with them to Europe in 2005. She has participated in the Stellenbosch Chamber Fest and was invited to the International Musica Mundi Chamber Festival in Belgium. She moved to Durban to play for the Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and she was a Cadet for 4 years; during that period she got invited to join the Royal konsert Gebou Cadets for Quartet and Quintet performances. She enjoys teaching and sharing her vast knowledge and experience with students.
Kharah is a vocal coach, multi-instrumentalist, and live sound engineer with a passion for helping students unlock their musical potential. With a Diploma in Music Production, advanced vocal pedagogy credentials, and classical training in piano, harp, and theory, she brings a well-rounded foundation to every lesson. Currently teaching vocals, beginner piano, and ukulele at Life Beat Music Academy, Kharah specializes in adaptive teaching tailored to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles. Grounded in years of orchestral harp performance and live stage experience, her goal is to build strong technical foundations while creating a supportive, inspiring space for musicians of all ages.