About

Cobus van der Walt (Teacher/Founder)

Cobus van der Walt’s musical journey began at an early age when he demonstrated exceptional talent, choosing the piano as his creative outlet. Under the guidance of his influential music teacher, Marietjie Steyn, Cobus quickly honed his skills and began composing his own pieces, which he later used in exams and local talent competitions. After completing high school, he pursued studies in Music Performance in Pretoria, South Africa.

From 2003 to 2005, Cobus was the resident pianist at The Palace of the Lost City (Sun City), where he performed daily at Villa del Palazzo and The Crystal Court. His performances expanded to prestigious Johannesburg venues such as The Residence, Michelangelo’s, Sandton Sun, Gold Reef City, and The Maximilien (Da Vinci Hotel, Sandton).

In addition to his performance career, Cobus worked at Music World East Rand Mall from 2005 to 2016, where he rose to the position of operations manager. Throughout this time, he continued teaching piano and composing music. To date, he has recorded ten studio albums, including hundreds of original compositions. In 2024, Cobus released his latest album, “To Live In The Moment,” under the pseudonym Bernardt James. His music is available worldwide on digital platforms via bernardtjames.com.

Cobus’s diverse experience enriches his teaching. Since founding Keyz Music Lessons in August 2017 in Verwoerdpark, Alberton, he has focused on piano pedagogy and music theory. His academic background, which includes studies in Educational Psychology, Business Operations Management, Music Performance, and Music Theory, informs his unique teaching style. Over 200 students have benefited from Cobus’s expertise since the school’s inception, and he continues to inspire others through his compositions and teaching.

Updated 5 October 2024