Singer, Voice Coach, Music Manager
EDUCATION
· Diploma in Teacher training course - Jabulani Technikon
· Certificate: On line computer and terminal operation (Accounting system and Book keeping)
· Certificate: Secretarial Course - Earnmor Secretarial College
· Music theory course: Fuba Academy
· Certificate: music theory London Royal Schools of music and Drama
· Certificate: London Royal Schools of music and Drama
· Training in recorder playing - Fuba Academy
· Classical and Opera singing-training
WORK EXPERIENCE
· 1986-1994 - Book Keeper: Burhose SA
· 1985-1999 - Voice Training: Fuba Academy
· 1999-2002 - Producer and Presenter of Classical and Choral music at Voice of Soweto Radio Station
· 2003 - 2005 - MEDIA Liaison at Sound Fusion Media
· 2003 to date – Department of Education – provided workshops and training on prescribed music, for choir conductors (as per Department's direction) in preparation for school choirs’ competitions, and also adjudicate during primary and high school choirs’ competitions
MASICULE MUSIC SCHOOL - CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH
In 1998, Rev MVUME DANDALA invited Miss Qubeka to open a community Music school at the Central Methodist Church on Saturdays. She named the school, Masicule Music School. Young people from the Inner City and the surrounding areas attended the school became famous. She, together with her students, got invited by Rev Mvume Dandala to perform for Government leaders at the Methodist church, the South African Council of Churches’ functions and some conferences.
THE PRESIDENT AWARD YOUTH PROGRAMME, based at FUNDA CENTRE, SOWETO, RAN by Bheki Madolo, requested her to welcome young talent from Soweto to join Masicule Music School. This led to a secured fund for the masicule Music School. The best achievers at the Masicule Music School received GOLD, SILVER and BRONZ AWARDS, presented to them by the Former PRESIDENT, NELSON MANDELA, at the Union Buildings. Former President NELSON MANDELA was a PATRON in CHIEF of THE PRESIDENT AWARD YOUTH PROGRAMMES.
Portia organized the Southern African Music Rights Organisation to give Music Rights Workshops and received support from Prof Van Niekerk, from University of Pretoria who sponsored all the workshop practitioners and facilitators.
The Masicule music students used to be invited to perform annually at the university of Witwatersrand’s open day and at Pretoria University.
Portia Qubeka was invited by REV MVUME DANDALA to perform during his farewell, leaving Central Methodist Church after many years to become a Bishop of Southern African Methodist Churches.
PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHTS
· 1984-1989 - IMILONJI KANTU: South African Choral Music competitions sponsored by Old Mutual and Ford- Winning yearly, and had a chance to improve and learn choral and classical style of singing, and sometimes selected as a SOLOIST
· The choir performed in Cape Town during the inauguration of BISHOP DESMOND TUTU as a Bishop of Cape town. Portia Qubeka was selected as a SOLOIST (soprano) in one of the songs composed by Prof. MZILIKAZI KHUMALO, a tribute to Bishop Tutu. The choir was invited by the South African council of churches to perform where Portia Q and her choir recorded their first album.
· 1994 - LIVER POOL ORATORIO - a work written by PAUL Mac Cartney, (the celebration of his life - 40th birth) Produced by Carl Davies, Portia Q was selected as part of the 'Quatted'! It was breath taking for her! She collaborated with the Drakensburg Boys choir, with the talented Zwai Bala and Loyiso Bala
· Performed with the TVL Philharmonic Choir, Accompanied by TVL Philharmonic Orchestra
· Performed with the Soweto Symphony Orchestra as a soloist for the ' Passion of Christ' work in Randfontein, Methodist church, conducted by Mr Michael Masote
· VICTOR NTONI -(Choral meets Jazz performance) Linda and Victor Ntoni invited Portia Q to start a choir, workshop them on singing choral music songs (as per prescription). She then founded the 'Soweto Choristers'. The project was created to celebrate 'OLIVER TAMBO's birthday. This led to a DVD and CD recording. This experience resulted in embarrassing her talent as a composer and motivated her to compose her album titled, 'NEVER TOO LATE'
· 2008 - invited by Mrs and Mr Cook to perform African music for their tour as Pastors from United States of America in Johannesburg
· 2010 - She performed at the end of the TV show on SABC 1, SHIFT, a track from 'NEVER TOO LATE' and many callers where impressed!
· 30th September 2011 - She is invited by Mrs and Mr Cook to perform in Mpumalanga during heritage month at the 'Mpumalanga Traditional Market'
· 2011 - Mrs Cook was so impressed with her album (NEVER TOO LATE) that she invited Portia Q again to perform in Atlanta on 5 June 2011 during their conference where Pastors Pastor Dianne and Robert Kirk would be invited to see her performance.
· 2008 June 13 - She performed Gospel songs during a commemoration gathering held in Pennsylvania Hotel, 401 7th Avenue, 33rd street, NEW YORK CITY, some South Africans staying or visiting USA were also present. She is currently planning a bigger gathering for 2012!
AWARDS and NOMINATIONS
Award: - Burhose, Proficiency and Dedication Award
Nominee - in the CEO Magazine women's Award, in the ARTS category, 2009
Nominee - in the ENTERPRISING women Magzine's Award, in the ARTS category, 2004
