Tessa Uys

(19*-) Internationally renowned pianist and actress. Born in Cape Town, she made her concert debut, aged 13, with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. Winning a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Also studied under Maria Curcio and at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. Returning to England, she won the Royal Overseas League Competition and subsequently took up permanent residence in London, where she still lives. In 1994, she was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. Her stage work over the years include two shows with her brother, Pieter-Dirk Uys, in 1980 (Uyscreams with Hot Chocolate Sauce and Uyscreams from the Wimpy Archipelago), and Appassionata (1982). This play about a musician, specially written for Tessa, was first produced in 1982 Pretoria State Theatre, Market Theatre and Baxter Theatre, with Chris Galloway and directed by Mario Schiess.