Louise du Toit

 

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Bio

Current and Past Bands

FUEGO DE LUNARFuego de Lunar came to life when Louise, pianist and main vocalist, joined her musical skills and stage experience of many years with those of her husband, Athenian guitarist Christos Koulouridis, to form a live music group which has since blossomed in Greece and around the world. After recently completing a successful Concert Season in 2017, with more than 200 performances scheduled over a period of seven months, they are currently preparing for their upcoming Concert Season in 2018.

Fuego de Lunar has given more than 4500 performances during the past years to audiences from all walks of life, including princes and presidents; holiday seekers and happy families; well-known stage personalities, actors, musicians, singers, writers and poets; scientists, romantic grooms and brides, dancing teenagers and warm circles of close friends. Their repertoire forms a wide array of cultures and countries, stretches over many decades and is sung in more than 12 languages. Their own compositions are romantic and ethereal, positively supporting peace and unity in the world and aiming to capture their love for life and all that it offers. The band also gives regular unplugged performances, with the piano and acoustic guitar as the sole accompaniment to their vocals.

In her song, Desire, for which she created the following video, Louise has combined her voice with the sound of her piano only.
 


Louise was the founder and main vocalist of a ten-member swing band, titled The Sha-Sha Sisters and the Dukes, with which she performed at many venues during 2014 and 2015. She was also the female lead singer of a new dancing band, titled Granadilla Groove, and of the Porta Reale Band, the latter which consisted of 7 musicians with which she performed for almost eight years. She regularly gives seasonal concerts with symphonic orchestras of Greece. Additionally, she presents special concerts with a repertoire in several traditional South African languages, including Zulu and Xhosa, representing her homeland of South Africa in her current country of residence, the latter which is Greece.


Childhood Memories

Louise du ToitLouise du Toit was born and raised in different breath-taking parts of South Africa as the youngest child of musical, artistic parents. She decribes her childhood memories as "beautiful and vibrant, brimming with color, sprinkled with millions of music notes, layered with warm rays of sun, overflowing with joy and full of laughter."

In her own words: "Some of my earliest memories are of early walks in the garden with my late artist father, who taught me to see beauty in the smallest objects of nature and focused my attention on the existence of inspiration in everything around me. Our house was filled with his colorful paintings and compelling photographs, as well as the sounds of his impressive collection of literally thousands of opera records, providing me with the exquisite privilege of listening to some of the most pure and extraordinary voices belonging to great recording artists of the past. My late mother also possessed of a chillingly beautiful coloratura voice, pure and clear like drops of dew, although she chose not to pursue a career as a performer, but to become a teacher for children with special needs.

I also have vivid and beautiful memories of endless hours of adventurous play with my siblings; learning to respect and protect nature and wildlife, exploring the farms and fields around our house, swimming in the ocean, riding our bicycles through the streets of different towns and villages in South Africa."

Her video, Wild Rose, was created with a collection of treasured images taken by the artist herself and members of her family and friend circles. The video also includes footage of her parents in their carefree years of youth. The song itself is an acoustic ballad with tender lyrics embracing the beauty of life and the value of friendship, and recorded with her voice and her piano only.


Early Education

Louise du ToitAll throughout her school years she studied classical piano and violin at Unisa, as well as at the Royal College of London, with the added joy of ballet and martial art classes woven in between. She performed in numerous solo recitals, musicals and concerts with youth orchestras and choirs.

As a young teenager, she started her official performing career as a child actress for PACOFS in South Africa. These performances thoroughly shaped her stage presence while she sang, danced and acted in many well-known musicals. As a youth member of different  theatre and art companies, she toured South Africa and Europe, gaining a lot of valuable knowledge and experience for her chosen career as a performance and recording artist.

After joining the Free State Youth Choir, her high school years were filled with meticulous choir rehearsals, several tours to different parts of South Africa and Europe and weekly performances at ever-changing venues.

 

 


Student Years

Louise du ToitAt the University of the Free State in South Africa, she took a four year course in Theater and Performance Arts, which also included stage, scenic and costume design. She studied opera with the acclaimed vocal teacher, Gudrun Barella, and continued her violin lessons with Abrie de Wet at the Music Department of the UOFS.

As an active member of the amateur theater groups of the UOFS, as well as the professional opera choir of PACOFS, she performed lead and supporting parts in several musicals and also sang in operas, with these  performances including well-known stage works like The Magic Flute, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma! and The Boyfriend.

She regularly participated in music concerts at the Sand du Plessis Theater Complex, the Scaena Theater and the Andre Huguenet Theater in Bloemfontein. At the same time she started writing, producing and directing theater plays.

On obtaining her degree, she was awarded with the Nedbank trophy as a special recognition for her contribution to culture during her student years.

 

 

 


Johannesburg

Louise du ToitIn Johannesburg, Louise performed as a freelance actress, singer and musician. She collaborated with gifted artists like guitar virtuoso Mauritz Lotz, the late drummer Lulu Gontsana and bassists Denny Lalouette and Glen Mafoko; with pianist Surendran Reddy; with Karin Hougaardt, Louis van Rensburg, Laurika Rauch, Rina Hugo, Carike Keuzenkamp, Lochner de Kock and Richard van der Westhuizen, the latter with whom she recorded the beautiful theme song of the famous Afrikaans television series, Ballade vir 'n Enkeling. She did radio and television work and recorded several of her own compositions with the orchestras of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, including the theme song for the first Ithuba campaign. She also wrote, illustrated and published her first songbook in her native language of Afrikaans, titled Lawwe Liedjies vir Lekker Luimpies.

She was the female vocalist of Safrika, a music group which was formed with highly acclaimed artists from different South African nationalities and chosen to represent South Africa at a special event in Greece. During her stay in Athens, she was invited by several Greek music agencies to perform at important events. She returned to South Africa, where she did numerous more performances and media appearances in Johannesburg and other parts of the country. In 1991 she became the first overall winner of the SABC-ATKV's songwriting competition, before taking the decision to move abroad.


Europe

Louise du ToitLouise travelled through Europe before settling in Athens, where she worked as a singer, pianist and violinist at lots of different venues, including the beautiful Residence of the South African Ambassador in Greece.

She became a member of Fashion Cult Model Management, leading to her participation in several television and radio advertisements for the Greek media. During this time, she was chosen as the front singer for the group, Committee 3, formed by Spiros Papaspirou and Edmund Diolulu, with whom she co-wrote and recorded an album titled Alright.

On meeting her husband, Christos, a permanent music collaboration was formed, leading to the creation of their main music group, Fuego de Lunar, the latter with which they are still performing on a nightly basis and with which they also produced and recorded two albums.

In 2005 she obtained her degree in Opera and Classical Singing with full honors in Greece. She has since been giving vocal lessons to numerous students and professional singers and has been very actively involved in the music, art and theater scene on the beautiful island of Corfu, where she continues her creative career surrounded by her artistic family. Read more about her latest art and musical projects here.  

 


Reviews

Louise du ToitMC RYDEL - REVIEW FOR LOUISE DU TOIT - FEATURED ARTIST SHOWCASE/IMRADIO: "One of the most beautiful voices in Europe comes from Athens and belongs to Louise du Toit. Completely original and interesting, Louise composes “smooth rhythms, strong melodies, subtle sounds and meaningful lyrics”. Her songs “Just Love” “Crime” “Inside” won a South African songwriting competition...She performs nightly in Athens. Watch for the release of her new CD and music video, and listen for Louise on IMRadio."

PADDY NOONAN, creator of IMRADIO - IMRADIO NEWSLETTER/ IMRADIO'S FEATURED ARTIST SHOWCASE: "Louise Du Toit is not only IMRadio's current Featured Artist, we believe she also has the highest number of IMRadio Fans. Congratulations Louise!'

MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO, famous guitarist: “…I listened to your songs again today. You have great music…”

MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO: “I read, posted and checked out your MySpace page. Great work, both musically and artistically. I put you in my Top friends list. Good luck in all things musical. Regards, Michael Angelo Batio."

ZEN RELAXATION: (February 23, 2012) "You unconditional love AND passion for animals is touching, as is the captivating sound of your voice and great music, as well as the artistic genius in your video creations. Thanks for touching my spirit ... "

GEORGE LYNCH, famous guitarist: “Rock on!!!”

ELIJAH SAINT, well-known musician: “…"Just Love", "Crime", "Inside", "Child" and "Once" are all beautiful songs…Your vocals are smooth and rich finalizing it with meaningful and impressive song writing. The production is awesome…”

DARIUS BRUBECK, famous jazz musician: “Good to hear from you and you look great…”

PIERRE BENSUSAN, famous guitarist: “…Thank you for visiting my page and for your warm comments. I had the chance to visit yours and listen, and really like the feel of your voice and songs. Hope our paths will cross sometimes in the near future…”

AOEDE: “...lovely feel, melody and energy Louise! Beautiful!”

ROBIN NOLAN, famous guitarist: “…keep spreading the love!You are so kind!”

JON MULVEY, well-known musician: “Beautiful Music! Beautiful Art! You are a Beautiful person, and a wonderful Talent…And your photos are so reflective of your artistic sensibility. Such a strong connection between the art, music, and photography. A rare gift indeed. When I visit your albums, I just fall in. I can’t seem to comment on just one, or another. Quite remarkable!!!”

AURELIE DECAMPS: “I met you with Aineshana! What an incredible voice you have! So sweet and at the same time powerful. Makes think of Loreena McKennitt! The same magic! The same poetry!! Bravo! Amitiés depuis le su...”

LULO REINHARDT, famous gypsy jazz guitarist: “…good sound…”

ROBERT CONTI, famous guitarist: “Without doubt, your face was made by the hand of God himself. The smile on that face is peace, love & happiness - all in one! Warm regards, Robert Conti, Las Vegas, NV USA”

SALARIATUS: “Wonderful experience listening to your glorious songs! Your voice is like honey.”

THE SONGWRITER - JACI: “Love that new song…simply breathtaking…you move like the wind through my hair…enchanting my senses to want more and more…you’re wonderful…keep up the illuminating work…your beauty is what keeps this planet alive…”

MERU MATU: “Your music is AMAZING my African Sista!!! I feel it to be a cross between Sade and Lisa Stansfield, who are two of my personal biggest inspiration…I love the song, love the video, love the locations, you look amazing and so beautiful and I am so happy to have watched the video and that you shared it with me.”

BAZ CORDEN: “…you have a beautiful voice and it's inspiring to see how much you like to create. A true artist. Awesome…"

ALPHONSE MOUZON: ”You are so beautiful and talented!”

STUDIO SALTA: “…Fantastic beautiful voice!”

EDDIEZ: “Came by to Listen to Your Music...Breathtaking...Just Beautiful…”

NAJAM SHERAZ: “…great music…wonderful singing…congratulations Louise…”

VIVIANA MAJKIC: “…What an interesting artist, beautiful, inspirational voice, and a lot attractive girl.... You seem very special, really.”

FRANK MAYNARD: “…U Sound GR8…”

BRATT SCOVIL: “…thanks so much for hooking me up to your world of excellent music! I am still enjoying your creativity and style of sound…”

BILLY JON: “…really nice music, Louise”

RICHIE WALKER: “Louise, Love your music and such a beautiful voice...”

THE LONZO DOG BAND: “I would not expect anything less from the dynamic soul you are...Awesome!!!”

CIJAY: “…Lovely music from a lovely person!”

KENNETH (W): “Not only are you the most beautiful woman I've ever met online, but you're also the most gifted…Your work is tremendously awesome, and if I had my own radio station, I'd be playing your style all the time over here, and I am sure many would be calling in asking how they could get it. I am sooo faithfully in love with your music...the music is hip and your voice is relaxing and full of energy…This is the stuff I love to listen to…and we need to spread the word about you. You are a gift from Heaven...”

MICHELLE VEENEMANS: “…dis heerlik om jou te leer ken!! Jy doen fantastiese werk!!...”

GIANLUCA GHINI: “…Really beautiful song, with a medieval taste!!”

DZ: “Louise, I LOVE your music!!!!! You are beyond amazing and talented.”

CORNELIUS KRISSILAS: “…And your ethereal, enchanting voice Louise interprets the song with such sweetness that we are uplifted and soar enraptured in Heaven where the celestial Choirs hush their singing to listen to a terrestrial Angelic voice singing!”

STILTSKIN ZE LIKEN: “Wow! The You Tube video is fantastic, great stage presence. I love the hint of Celtic music in the song…Great cinematography, so refreshing to see such a humble person as yourself so gifted and talented and yet down to earth and hands on in your promotion…Talent and personality what more could one expect from a world class act such as yours…”

SUAMI: “Congratulations, your new video is excellent, and the song is superb!!!”

RON RUTHERFORD: “…absolutely fabulous!”

CHRISTOPHE LEU: “A real pleasure to look at your video! I love this kind of music, with Irish and medieval influences. Your singing is great, with a Kate Bush touch. Congratulations!”

JOHN EARL WATLEY 3: “…The video is excellent…well put together…everyone in the video has got the vibe…wow…what a lovely voice you have…”

STEFAN LINDGREN: “…a beautiful song Louise…”

BILL ROGERS: “…You are such an amazing beautiful talented woman…”

INA: “You beautiful singing forest fairy...a feast for the eyes and ears...”

NIGEL HOLT: “Lovely Louise! Your video is cool…love the big production song...your vocals are fantastic...you are a super star and beautiful too…”

LE KIWI: “Excellent video thanks Louise...you look & sing so divine...very catchy song also. I'm very impressed with the high standard of music & production so well done…”

CH2 GUITAR DUO: “…Beautiful! "My heart is a sea" is beautiful and soulful…”

WALT: “…Impressive music and video…Great groove & forward momentum in your material…”

NOLVIDO OUAE:  “…I love very much your video clip, the song, your voice... your soul!!! You are wonderful!!!!!!!”

KIKE GOYA:  “…Your video deserves just two words: Wonderful and beautiful... as you... and your friendship!! Congrats for your work!! Excellent!!”

MERU MATU: “…I love the song, love the video, love the locations, you look amazing and so beautiful and I am so happy to have watched the video and that you shared it with me.”

LARRY FLET: “…You have a very nice voice; you sing well, you are deliciously beautiful!”

GERMAN BENSE BOSSA NOVA: “I saw your video, AMAZING!!!!...love it so much!”


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