About
Veronica Bell
- Violinist
- Vocalist
- Pianist
Veronica is the passionate violinist of Zamar using this beautiful instrument to speak a language of hope and passion for life! She began her violin lessons at the age of four from Mrs. Clutton in Newcastle. During her school years she took lessons from Mr. Ahlers (Johannesburg), Professor Allen Solomon (Johannesburg), Mr. La Castro (Durban) and Mrs. Robertson (Pietermaritzburg). She furthered her studies at the University of Pretoria in 1991 with Prof Allen Solomon, but she continued studying at the University of Stellenbosch from the year 1993, where she was taught by Professor Jack de Wet.
In 1994 she performed with the Cape Town Symphonic Orchestra as solo violinist during the National Youth Festival and completed her Teachers Licentiate degree in Violin. In 1995 she studied her Practical Honours in Bachelor Music Ensemble work under the late Professor Eric Rycroft.
She also received training in piano finishing her UNISA grade 8 exam and four year University training under Ella Fourie (TUKS, 1991), Wessel van Wyk (TUKS, 1992) and Bennie van Eeden (University of Stellenbosch1993 – 1994) and vocal training under Magdalena Oosthuizen (UNISA grade 6). During her studies she accompanied students for their examinations.
She’s played the violin in Zamar since 2005 and as a result of that has performed with many of South Africa’s well known artists, like Jannie Moolman, Rina Hugo, Danie Niehaus, Anna Davel , Karen Meiring, Chris Chameleon, Lise Beekman, Matthys Roets, Janine Neethling and Steve Hofmeyer.
Since October 2022, she is acting as the Concert Master of the community-based orchestra, Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra, operating from Stellenbosch and surrounding towns. 2023 launched her solo career with the production ‘Focus on the Fiddle’ which is a 60min program representing the diversity of the violin repertoire covering classical, gypsy and jazz.
In 2024, one of her own compositions originally composed for Zamar, were arranged by the well-renowned composer and arranger, John Walton, for orchestra. This piece, Lazy days Sunset, were recorded by the Cinematic Company orchestra into a spectacular piece.
Veronica is married to Usher and they have four kids, who regularly join the Zamar band as guest artists.
Monika Stuchlik (Kahl)
- Accordionist
- & other instruments
Monika is an experienced & passionate musician who loves playing classical, traditional, continental, gypsy & modern music. After growing up and living in Johannesburg for 25 years, she lived in Europe for over 5 years and now settled in Cape Town since 2012. Although she is a Chartered Accountant, music continues to play a big role in her life.
Monika started playing the piano-accordion when she was 3 years old. Over the years she learnt to play many other instruments including the austrian bells, zither, chromonica (4 different types), panflute, penny whistle, steeldrums, piano, keyboard etc.
Since Monika was 5 years old, she performed all over southern Africa in her father’s (Otto Kahl) very successful German band as well as performing as a family trio with her younger sister and father. In 1994, when she was 13 years old, she competed in the accordion world championships in Italy, where she was placed 2nd. In addition to winning many other championships, she also won the National Eisteddfod in 1998, coming 1 stout of 93,000 participants. Over the years, she appeared in numerous newspaper articles, radio and TV shows. Monika joined Zamar in 2017.
Monika’s father was German, her mother is from Switzerland, her husband is from Czech Republic and she was born and raised in South Africa, therefore she is fluent in German, Swiss-German, English, Afrikaans and gets by with Czech; she also sings in Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and other African languages. Monika has 2 children who are following in their mother’s footsteps with music and regularly perform with the Zamar band as guest artists.
Warren Joubert
- Bassist
Hailing from George in the Southern Cape, Warren’s musical journey began not with an early start on an instrument, but with a deep-seated passion nurtured through school choirs and plays. While he picked up the guitar later in life, he quickly found opportunities to perform at weddings and small functions.
His dedication to music led him to formal study, where he enrolled in a part-time certificate program at the University of Stellenbosch. Under the guidance of Chantel Willie and Alex Mayer, he honed his skills on the bass guitar. Today, Warren is a regular fixture in his local church, where he plays popular Christian music, and has been the bassist for the band ZAMAR since 2019.
Balancing his artistic pursuits with an impressive academic career, Warren holds a Ph.D. in Oceanography. His professional life is dedicated to environmental research, with a focus on meteorology and atmospheric chemistry.
Philip Vermeulen
- Guitarist
Philip played the guitar since the age of six. He was completely self-taught until at the age of nineteen when he took guitar lessons at the Jazz Workshop in Cape Town, where for the first time, he learnt to read music. Philip completed the accelerated program of the Stellenbosch University Music Certificate.
Apart from playing for Zamar since mid 2016, Philip also used to play in the Stellenbosch University Jazz Band under the leadership of Felicia Lesch and was also a member of the US Gig Band (small ensemble) which he led. He also has his own Jazz Quartet called Just Friends and is a freelance musician.
He has shared the stage with the likes of PJ Powers, Gloria Bosman, Corlea Botha, Jannie Moolman and more. He has also played Friedrich Gulda’s Cello Concerto as a member of the USSBE under the direction of Pamela Kierman with soloist Peter Martens. In November 2017, Philip was chosen to be part of the production company of Cape Town Opera to stage the performance of the Mandela Trilogy touring to Dubai and Hong Kong.
Ronald Siegelaar
- Drummer
- Percussionist
Ronald is the highly skilled and gifted professional drummer playing for Zamar since 2016.
He started playing drums at the age of fourteen, being self-taught until after matric in 2007. This is when he had the opportunity to take formal lessons with Suzette Brits at the University of Stellenbosch Music Department. He achieved Grade 8 of the Rock School Syllabus in drum kit and Grade 5 Royal Schools in percussion. In 2010, he became the drummer for the Stellenbosch University Jazz Band and continued to play gigs with them on request. 2010 and 2011 saw him as the runner up drummer for the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band Competition. In 2012, he attended the Unisa International Jazz School in Pretoriaand won the National Ensemble competition in 2013 with his jazz trio. He was the drummer for the Imagine South band in 2014 for the Imagine movement in the Western Cape.
His love for the drums started with gospel music, “I have been playing gospel music ever since I became proficient in the drums.” He, therefore, commits his talent to the International Church Movement of Every Nation, Stellenbosch.
He taught drum kit at Musiekhaus W. Heuer from 2011 until 2016 and was employed full time at Paul Roos Gymnasium as a teacher since 2012 until mid 2017 .
Some of the artists Ronald has worked with over the years include Gloria Bosman, Elle Amor, Heinz Winckler, PJ Powers, Grethe van der Merwe, Bianca La Grange.
Highlights over the years
Apart from corporate and private functions, Zamar’s highlights over the years include the following productions / concerts:
- KKNK (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) 2005: Kanna Award for the best upcoming artist of the Festival
- SKOUSPEL (2005)
- EMI CD contract (2005)
- Steve Hofmeyer (Dis hoe dit is met Steve) (2005)
- Kunskafee, Kyknet; Pitstop (SABC 2) (2005)
- Aardklop (2006)
- Various productions / concerts with Anna Davel, Matthys Roets, Koos Kombuis, Romanz and Arco Musica (2006-2010)
- Francois Pienaar’s M.A.D (Make a Difference) foundation, function in Durban (2009 & 2010)
- Princess Charlene of Monacco’s wedding in Durban at the Oyster Box (2011)
- Proe’toria (2018)
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his foundation (2018)
- ‘Dis Zamar lekker’ at Woordfees (2020, 2023)
- Zamar Klassique at Greyton, Classics for All (2018 & 2021)
- The Jerusalem Woven Destiny Concert (2021 & 2025)
- Performance with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at the Artscape (2021)
- Focus on the Family (Woman’s day 2023)
- Whitey Basson’s private function (2023)
- Frankfort Outreach (2024)
- ‘Let’s fall in love’ (Valentines 2025)
International performances:
- Holland & Belgium (2007)
- Seychelles (2009 & 2010)
- Namibia (2009)
- Germany (Public Fundraising Concert in Munich, performing for the Prince of Bavaria – 2012)
- Indonesia (International Prayer Conferences Worship Team in JAKARTA in 2012)
Previous band members:
• Lyudmyla Heath on accordion & vocals (2004 – 2016)
• Danica O’Neill (percussionist) (2007 – 2016)
• Brian O’Neill (guitar & vocal) (2007 – 2016)
• Ignatius Kloppers (bass) (2007 – 2016)
• Hilandi du Toit on guitar (2004 – 2006)
• Done McLuckie on percussion (2004 – 2006)
• Anjulie de Vos on bass (2004 – 2006)
