Eriel Huang

Nicknamed ‘chief trouble maker’, Eriel loves ideating and connecting new dots. Her role in Strategy & Operations supports the growth of Opera UCT through nurturing partnerships, diversifying audiences and piloting alternative offerings.

Eriel has travelled to 30+ countries as a musician, educator and consultant. An avid collaborator, committed to creating sustainability in the arts ecosystem, she is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at UCT’s GSB, whilst maintaining a vibrant portfolio career on and off stage.

Born in Taiwan, she grew up in Durban, matriculated from NSA and graduated from UP. Eriel also holds certifications from the US State Department, John Hopkins University & IPSI; and studied an interdisciplinary masters in music, social development, and conflict resolution at UCT. From 2008, Eriel was the lead violinist of Sterling EQ, having performed in all the major SA orchestras. In 2013, she relocated to Boston for the Sistema Fellowship Program at NEC – joining a global cohort of 50 artists focusing on social justice and music education with orchestras and arts organisations throughout the Americas. Immersed in arts funding and advocacy, she aided the launch of the Creative Youth Development sector with the President’s Committee on Arts & Humanities. Parallel to her musical endeavours, Eriel was a representative at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, Nobel Laureate Summit, G8 Youth Summit, and COP 17. Career highlights include strengthening African grassroots programs; international university lectures; and teaching residencies in Venezuela, Afghanistan, Japan, and eSwatini.

She returned to SA in 2016 to oversee the expansion of a family enterprise, whilst consulting as Director of Leadership & Learning for Creative Generation. Subsequently, she has served as guest co-concertmaster for KZNPO; Deputy Chair of JYO; Acting Manager for FSSO; Artistic Director of Mangaung Strings Programme; Director of PR for SA Strings Foundation; and supported the founding of Swellendam Music Society.