Question 1

How much does it cost to book a cellist for a corporate event in Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

Packages start at R4,500. There is no fixed menu beyond that: the number depends on the length of the booking, how many sets the run sheet needs, and where the venue is. Send me the date, the venue, and the schedule, and you will get a proper quote rather than a range.

Question 2

Can you work with our in-house AV or sound team?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and I would rather. I coordinate with your sound team before the event and arrive early to set up with them on the day. I use a clip-on lavalier instrument microphone that connects to the desk by XLR or 6.35mm jack and needs 48V phantom power; I carry a backup dynamic mic if that is not available, so long as your technician tells me in advance. The full tech rider is above; forward it straight to them.

Question 3

Do you bring your own sound equipment, or do we provide it?

Accepted Answer

I bring my own speaker, which comfortably covers rooms of around 100 guests or fewer. For larger rooms, ballrooms, and outdoor spaces, please provide a PA suited to the venue and the guest count, and for large outdoor events, a sound technician as well. I plug into what you have and work with your team.

Question 4

Do you invoice, and can you work with a purchase order?

Accepted Answer

Yes to both. You get a proper invoice, purchase order details included wherever your process needs them, and payment timing agreed in writing before the booking is confirmed. The admin should be the easy part of this.

Question 5

Will guests still be able to talk during dinner?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the set is built for it. Through arrivals and dinner the volume sits low enough that people can hold a conversation across a table, then becomes more present for awards walk-ups, reveals, and the moments you actually want the room to notice.

Question 6

Can the repertoire match our brand or event theme?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I shape the set around the tone you need (classical, film, modern pop, quiet background music) or a specific company song or campaign track. Almost anything with a melody works: pop, orchestral, soundtrack. Heavily percussive, techno, and piano-driven tracks are the exceptions, and I will say so upfront rather than disappoint you on the night.

Question 7

Can you work to our run sheet and take cues from the MC?

Accepted Answer

That is the normal way I work. Cues and run sheets get agreed either beforehand in a planning and coordination meeting, or on the day itself, whichever suits your team. Those meetings are included with the upper packages and available on request otherwise.

Question 8

What happens if there is load shedding?

Accepted Answer

For a smaller function, nothing: the cello is acoustic and plays through it without interruption. For a larger venue running a PA and a sound desk, I cannot amplify without electricity, so the venue's backup power is what matters. Worth confirming with your venue early, and I will plan the set around whatever they tell us.

Question 9

What happens if you are unable to perform?

Accepted Answer

I have never missed an event. I travel with spare strings, a second bow, and a backup microphone, so equipment failure does not become your problem. In the event that something genuinely prevented me from performing, you would hear it from me immediately and I would go out of my way to arrange the right replacement, with as much notice as possible. It has not happened yet.

Question 10

Do you travel to hotels, conference venues, and events outside Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everything within 30km of Cape Town is included. Beyond that I apply the standard AA fuel rate to the driving distance, which is the industry benchmark. For venues more than 100km out, outside the Western Cape, or anywhere requiring a flight, we discuss it properly and price it into a single figure, no surprises on the invoice.

Question 11

How far ahead should we book?

Accepted Answer

A week of notice is workable. A month is better, and closer to necessary if the event needs custom arrangements, meticulous coordination with your AV team, or travel well outside Cape Town. As soon as you have the date and the venue, send them.

Cello forCorporate Events

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