STERLING EQ

Based in Cape Town

WATCH STERLING VIDEOS

Silver and Sensational, South Africa’s electrifying crossover quartet

The powerful combination of their unique modern instruments, their slick, gorgeous image and their brilliant performance makes Sterling a ‘must have’ for your next event.

Sterling “Electric Quartet” is one of the most sought after bands on South Africa’s entertainment and corporate events circuits.  This instrumental supergroup captivates audiences from all walks of life with their spectacular display of virtuosity and their energetic stage presence, which, together with their sleek appearance and stylish modern instruments, makes for an unforgettable entertainment experience.

The launch of their new album this year has catapulted Sterling into the limelight both locally and internationally with performances at the IPL Cricket Tournament's opening matches which was broadcast to millions of viewers across the globe, and collaborations with disco icon Boney M in Dubai and Durban.   With several other international engagements planned for the latter part of 2009, the sky’s the limit for this sizzling Classical crossover quartet.

The band is made up of some of South Africa’s top and most gorgeous young virtuosos. Not only are they top qualified and award-winning instrumentalists, all four young women have enjoyed significant success in other fields.  Electric flautist Carina Bruwer, who owns an entertainment agency, is also a renowned marathon swimmer, with many national and international records to her name.  Electric violinist Eriel Huang, fluent in no less than 6 languages, has acted as translator for various international meetings and is involved with a number of NGO's for community upliftment, charity programmes and peace work; Magdalene Minnaar (electric violinist and viola player) is a renowned soprano having starred in various professional operas, and electric cellist Ariella Caira is a qualified actress who graduated with BA Theatre & Performance with a Distinction in Drama.

Their live performance contains striking and unforgettable arrangements of Classical works and well-known favourites, giving new life to the compositions of masters like Vivaldi, Bach and Beethoven by incorporating elements of contemporary music - Vanessa Mae style.  The inclusion of well-known South African compositions like Mbube and Nkalakatha, as well as some Latin House hits, makes Sterling EQ one of the most unique outfits out there, garnering interest nationally and abroad. 

In the short period since it's formation in February 2007, Sterling has been embraced by the entertainment and corporate events markets across South Africa and their high impact show has been met with praise and enthusiasm from critics, fans and clients across South Africa.  The group has performed at high profile events such as:

Middle East & African World Travel Awards, Dubai & Durban, May 2009.  Performance included a collaboration with global music icon, Boney M.
IPL (Indian Premier League) Cricket Tournament, opening matches Main Stage, Newlands, April 2009
Dunhill party, Dubai, April 2009
J&B Met 2009
Wesbank Car of the Year Awards 2009
Africa World Travel Awards, 2008 & 2009
Cultivaria Festival 2008
Die Burger Kerskonsert 2008
SA Cheese Festival
Shoprite / Checkers Woman of the Year Award 2007&2008, Cape Town
Nederburg Wine Auction 2007
Nissan's AGM 2007, Johannesburg
Mount Nelson Ballroom launch
Maserati Launches, Cape Town & Johannesburg
BMW's X5 launch, Cape Town
Engen IDB Dinner
SASOL Awards, Emperors Palace
Public show, Rhapsody's Lusaka
Media24 AGM, Cape Town
Dimension Data Pro Am 2008, Sun City
Franschhoek Champagne Festival 2007
Standard Bank Women Achievers Awards 2007, Durban
Corporate events for Hollard, ABSA, Southern Sun, Old Mutual, KFC, Daimler South Africa and many more
Sterling’s debut album “Nova”, produced by the multiple award-winning Gabi Le Roux, was released in March 2009 and is selling fast.  The album was launched on 27 March at an illustrious event at Wembley Square, Cape Town, which, together with the album and the band, enjoyed extensive media interest.  Coverage include a TV features on Showbiz Report (ETV), Kwela, Glitterati (Kyknet), Luvsport (SS1); no less than 4 articles in Die Burger, a feature in Die Rapport, and coverage in Top of the Times (Cape Times); radio coverage includes live studio interviews for SAFM and Heart FM, and interviews on MFM, KFM, FMR, as well as various community stations.

MEMBERS

In their individually capacity, Carina, Ariella, Magdalene and Eriel are renowned performers with many years of experience.  Combined, they are a force to be reckoned with.

CARINA - ELECTRIC FLUTE

Carina (B.Mus Hons cum laude; UNISA Performers Licentiate cum laude) is a versatile soloist known for seamlessly fusing classical and contemporary styles (jazz, Latin, ethnic and crossover) in her performances.  She has won numerous music awards, including the ATKV Muziq Category Prize, Distell Music Prize, Huguenot Prize, UNISA Overseas Study Bursary runner-up prize, plus SAMRO prizes, a.o. She has performed as soloist with the Cape Philharmonic, Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic and University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestras. She has performed at many top venues in South Africa, as well as in the Seychelles and Tunisia (as part of President Mbeki's inaugural state visit), and has featured as soloist at various South African Arts Festivals.  Apart from Sterling, Carina has performed and recorded with the Classical ACE Quartet, Casta Alma flamenco band, and the Latin band Salsa Candela.

Carina is coincidentally also SA’s top female marathon swimmer, with various national and international records to her name. She has enjoyed extensive media coverage, including lifestyle features on Pasella (SABC2), The Power Within (SABC3) Kwela (Kyknet) and Gillette World Sport; as well as prime time news inserts on SABC1, 2 and 3 and ETV.  In print media she has made the front page of most local newspapers, and has been featured in glossies including Sarie, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Sports Illustrated and Shape Magazine, amongst many others.  With titles like Cosmo’s Awesome Women, Glamour’s “Women We Love”, and Sports Illustrated’s “Top 10 Beauties of Sport” to her name, Carina’s talent and versatility certainly has not gone unnoticed.

Read more about Carina here...

ARIELLA - ELETRIC CELLO

Ariella Caira, who studied with distinguished cellist Anmari van der Westhuizen, this year completed her degree in Theatre and Performance at the Universtiy of Cape Town.

Ariella has been playing music since the age of 5, and over the years has played in several orchestras and ensembles, including the National Youth Orchestra, participated in many eisteddfods and won numerous awards and trophies.  She has completed her grade 8 examinations for Piano, Cello and Percussion.  She has participated in several competitions including the Sanlam music competition while in Junior School and in the Absa Competition while in High School.

In 2000 she won the Herschel Girls' High School music scholarship and she matriculated in 2004.  She was placed first in the Western Cape for Speech and Drama in 2004 for her matric results.  Last year she was placed on the Dean's Merit List for her academic achievements at University. 
An active chamber musician, Ariella has performed with various quartets and other ensembles, including the ACE Quartet, Wired, and the backing ensemble for the Ten Tenors  during their tour of South Africa.

Read more about Ariella here...

ERIEL - ELECTRIC VIOLIN

22-year old violinist Eriel Huang is one of South Africa's most exciting young virtuosos, with a spectacular technique and a stage personality to match.  Eriel, whose Christian names are Yee Chen Huang, was born in Taiwan and lived there until the age of 6, when she moved to Durban with her family, and later to Johannesburg.  As a soloist, Eriel has performed at the following high profile events: Taiwan - Tuks Fundraising Concert, 2005, 2006 and 2007; University of Pretoria Engineering Concert, 2005 and 2006; Sandton Art Gallery Concert, 2002 and 2003; SASMT Gala Concert, 2003; Private ambassadorial functions for the USA and Taiwanese offices, 2001 – 2003; Taiwan Earthquake Relief Fundraising Concert 2001.

Eriel has a wealth of orchestral and ensemble experience, including Concert Master positions of the Musicanti Chamber Orchestra and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra, Orchestra in Celebration of New Coin Unveiling at the SA Mint in Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra, National School of the Arts Orchestra; Co- and/or Vice-Concert Master for the Con Spirito Philharmonic Orchestra, Norway Toppenkurst Music School Orchestra, and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra; First Violin for the 2007 World Aids Day Concert, two Andrew Young World Music Tours, The Magic Flute Opera under William Kentridge in Johannesburg, and Jazz Meets Symphony Concerts in Durban and Johannesburg by the Jazz Foundation; as well as various ad hoc first and second violin positions with, amongst others, the Cape Philharmonic, the Johannesburg Philharmonic, and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestras.

Read more about Eriel here...

MAGDALENE - ELECTRIC VIOLIN

Magdalene Minnaar received an Honours degree in music with distinction from UCT in 2005. While studying, she was active as chamber and orchestral violist in the UCT Symphony Orchestra, UCT String ensemble and also the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. She was born and raised in Pretoria where she attended Pro Arte arts school and was an enthusiastic and passionate musician from an early age. She played violin and bassoon in various orchestras, including the National Youth Orchestra and the Roodepoort Symphony Orchestra.

In 2004 she won the vocal category of the ATKV Musiq competition and later that year also won the Chisholm Centenary competition. For three consecutive years (2004-2006), Magdalene won the prize for the best performance of a South African work at the ATKV Music competition. In 2005 she was a prizewinner in the UNISA National Voice Competition. She also won the prestigious Mimi Coertse Bursary competition. Magdalene spent the last two years with the Cape Town Opera studio, and now continues her career as freelance singer and violist.

Read more about Magdalene here...