Department
Odeion School of Music
Dr Frelét de Villiers is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Head at the Odeion School of Music. She is the head of the Methodology modules, and Short learning programmes, lectures in piano, music pedagogy, arts management and is a supervisor for post-graduate students. She is a member of the Faculty of Humanities Research Committee, Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, Scientific Committee (Arts), and the Ethics Committee (Humanities). Her field of expertise is piano technique, with particular emphasis on the influence of the brain and the whole-brain approach to music. Her passion is using technology in education and the music teaching situation. This lead to the development of a note learning app PianoBoost (available on Google Play). For this project, she was awarded the third prize for the most innovative project and was chosen as one of the 20 top entrepreneurs for the South African Swizz entrepreneurship programme. Currently, her interest lies in the application of Seamless learning in the education sphere. She has been a guest speaker at several National and International Conferences. Her articles were published in accredited journals, and she contributed book chapters to international publications. Acting as an external examiner for several theses, dissertations, and practical examinations is a satisfying part of her job.
BOOK CHAPTERS
2022
International publication
Hambrock, H, De Villiers, F & Power, R. Introduction, in Hambrock et al. 2022. Seamless learning in Higher Education 2: Comparisons from international educators of changes during a global pandemic, Pressbooks, Available: https://seamlesslearning2.pressbooks.com/
International publication
De Villiers, F, Hambrock, H, & Power R. Seamless learning concept, in Hambrock et al. 2022. Seamless learning in Higher Education 2: Comparisons from international educators of changes during a global pandemic, Pressbooks, Available: https://seamlesslearning2.pressbooks.com/
International publication
Jose Sousa, M, De Villiers, F & Ellis, W. Practical and technical concepts, in Hambrock et al. 2022. Seamless learning in Higher Education 2: Comparisons from international educators of changes during a global pandemic, Pressbooks, Available: https://seamlesslearning2.pressbooks.com/
2020
International publication
De Villiers, F, Hambrock & H, Rusman, E. 2020. Introduction and background, in Hambrock, H., De Villiers, F., Rusman, E., MacCallum, K. and Arrifin, S. 2020. Seamless Learning in Higher Education: Perspectives of international educators on its curriculum and implementation potential, Pressbooks, Available: https://seamlesslearning.pressbooks.com/.
International publication
Hambrock, H & De Villiers, F. 2020. Conclusion, in Hambrock, H., De Villiers, F., Rusman, E., MacCallum, K. and Arrifin, S. 2020. Seamless Learning in Higher Education: Perspectives of international educators on its curriculum and implementation potential, Pressbooks, Available: https://seamlesslearning.pressbooks.com/.
2016
International publication:
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2016. Photography as music reportage: Musical life at the Odeion School of Music. Viljoen, M (ed.). Musics of the Free State: Reflections on a musical past, present, and future. Croatia: Croatian Musicological Society
ARTICLES
2023
Hambrock, H & De Villiers, F. 2023. Proposing a Seamless Learning Experience Design (SLED) Framework Based on International Perspectives of Educators from Five Higher Education Institutions. Electronic Journal of e-learning, 21(1):52-68. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.21.1.2497
2022
Van Wyk, A & De Villiers, F. 2022. Psychological Attributes of Primary School Piano Learners Preparing for Regional and National Music Competitions in South Africa. Muziki, https://doi.org/10.1080/18125980.2021.2015246
2020
Rennie-Salonen, B & F. de Villiers. 2020. Musicians’ occupational health in South Africa: Promoting awareness and understanding. The South African Music Teacher , 154:54-67
2018
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2018. The application of gamification in developing an innovative mobile app for music tuition. The 17th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning, Chicago, 11-14 November 2018. (Conference proceedings published through LearnTechLib at https://www.learntechlib.org/j/MLEARN/v/2018/n/1/)
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2018. Realising a dream: Developing the PianoBoost application The South African Music Teacher 152:14-15.
2017
Salonen, B. & A.M.F. de Villiers. 2016. Towards a model for musicians’ occupational health education at tertiary level in South Africa. Muziki (electronic version).
2015
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2015. Noel Stockton: Tracing the Footprints of a South African Musical Legend. The South African Music Teacher 149:37-41.
2013
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2013. Die ontwikkeling van klaviertegniek soos gebaseer op Herrmann se vierkwadrant breinmodel van leervoorkeure. Musicus 40(1):44-103.
2011
De Villiers, A.M.F. 2011. The piano teaching situation from a student perspective: A South African qualitative study. SAMUS 30/31:159-176.
PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
2020
International publication
De Villiers, F. 2020. Proposed Innovative Assessment Strategy by applying the Evidence Centered Design Model in a Seamless Learning Environment. The 19th World Conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless learning: Sustaining equal access to learning in a mobile world, Cairo, Egypt, 2-4 November 2020.
https://www.learntechlib.org/j/MLEARN/v/2020/n/1/
2018
International publication
De Villiers, F. 2018. The application of gamification in developing an innovative mobile app for music tuition. The 17th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning, Chicago, USA, 11-14 November 2018. https://www.learntechlib.org/j/MLEARN/v/2018/n/1/)
Publications (Short List)
SPEAKER AT CONFERENCES
International conferences
2021
Speaker at the PASMAE-ISME conference 2021, hosted by Zambia, A bridging framework for seamless learning in musical arts education based on global perspectives, 5-9 July 2021.
2020
Speaker at the 19th World Conference on Mobile, blended and seamless learning: Sustaining equal access to learning in a mobile world, Proposed Innovative Assessment Strategies by Applying the Evidence Centered Design Model in a Seamless Learning Environment, 2-4 November, Cairo, Egypt (online presentation because of the COVID-19 pandemic).
2019
18th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning: Mobilized Learning: Future learning through experiences and spaces, Seamless Learning at the University of the Free State, 16-19 September, Delft, The Netherlands.
2018
17th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning: Mobilized Learning: Pedagogical and Technological Innovation for Teaching & Learning, The application of gamification in developing an innovative mobile app for music tuition, 11-14 November, Chicago, USA.
Table presentation at the 17th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning: Mobilized Learning: Pedagogical and Technological Innovation for Teaching & Learning, “PianoBoost: The interactive, innovative mobile app for music tuition, 11-14 November, Chicago, USA.
International conference – PASMAE, The anticipated benefits of the halo neurostimulation system on musical performance, 28 June -1 July, Southdown College, Centurion.
2017
International conference – PASMAE, The advantages of using technology in the music teaching environment, 29 June - 4 July, Mbabane Swaziland.
2016
International PASMAE conference, The possibility of a note learning application for student performers without any musical background, 24-26 June, Frank Pietersen Music Centre, Paarl.
National conferences
2021
Speaker at the Research and Ethics Webinar series of the Faculty of Humanities, UFS, 30 April, Decolonising research methodologies and research agenda.
2020
Speaker at the Interdisciplinarity in Action Webinar series of the UFS, 5 November 2020, The intersection between neuroscience and music.
Speaker at the South African Society of Research in Music (SASRIM) congress which would have been held in Port Elizabeth (November) but due to Covid 19, it was presented as an online conference, Understanding the benefits and barriers of implementing seamless learning in higher education and specifically music tuition.
2019
Presenting at the Blended Learning Colloquium: Enhancing learning success, Seamless learning at the University of the Free State, 2 August 2019, Kovsie Inn, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
2017
Speaker at the National conference of the Society of Music Teachers in South Africa (SASMT), Building cultural bridges through the use of technology in the music lesson, 1-3 April 2017, Frank Pietersen Music Centre, Paarl.
2015
Guest speaker at Technology and Education conference in Pretoria: How to develop a mobile app. Conference presented by Envision International, 25 March.
Guest speaker at the Mobile Technology in Education Symposium in Sandton. Presented two papers: How to develop mobile applications as well as Applications in research, archiving and labs, 26-27 August.
2014
Guest speaker at Technology and Education conference in Pretoria: How to develop a mobile app. Conference presented by Envision International, 26-27 November.
2012
Speaker at South African Society of Research in Music (SASRIM) congress in Pretoria, (July) The Application of Learning Style Models to Individual Music Teaching.
2011
Keynote speaker at the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) conference in Durban. Delivered a paper The development of piano technique through an integrative whole brain approach and two workshops, 6-9 April.
Speaker at the Fifth Congress of the South African Society for Research in Music (SASRIM) in Grahamstown Piano technique – is the mechanical approach enough?
ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS
2022
Mentor of the Mountain to mountain academic mentorship program for young women. An initiative between Appalachian State University (USA) and the University of the Free State (QwaQwa campus).
Member of both the eHealth and the Governance and Ethics focus groups that are part of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures at the UFS. An initiative driven by the Vice-chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen (2020 – 2022).
2021
Mentor of the Mountain to mountain academic mentorship program for young women. An initiative between Appalachian State University (USA) and the University of the Free State (QwaQwa campus).
Reviewer for the 2021 Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate scholarship applications.
National Research Foundation (NRF), moderator FISS Postdoc SSH & ELR Panel Assessment, July 2021.
External peer reviewer for the “Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities: Recovery, Renewal and Resilience in a Post-Pandemic World programme”. A collaboration between humanities and social science research funders from South America, North America and Europe, October 2021.
2020
National Research Foundation (NRF), moderator of Free-Standing Innovations and Scarce Skills Panel Assessment of Postdoctoral fellowship. July 2020
2019
NRF, member of Postgraduate Bursaries. Travel grants Virtual Peer Review Panel
2018
NRF, Member of the Advisory panel, DST/NRF Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowships; 14, 15 August, NRF Pretoria.
2017
NRF, Member of the Advisory panel, DST/NRF Innovation FISS Postdoctoral Scholarships; 28-29 September, NRF, Pretoria.
NRF, Member of DAAD Virtual Review panel.
NRF, Peer Reviewer, rating of an applicant for NRF rating.
Head of Short Learning Programmes at the Odeion School of Music (2017 – current).
2016
NRF, Peer Reviewer, Thuthuka fund, August 2016.
External peer reviewer for creative outputs, Practical Performances, North West University, 5 October.
2013
Nominated for the HELTASA/CHE National Excellence in Teaching and Learning Awards (2013).
"Analysing the impact of post-Covid seamless learning experiences”. A global research project with researchers from seven countries.
An interdisciplinary research project with the department of Neurology regarding the effect of the HALO neurostimulation system on pianists.
The use of technology in the teaching situation
Development of an App for beginner tuition - sight reading and aural tests
MUSA1504; MUSA3604; MUSP2612; MUSP2622; MUST9100; MUSP9100; MUST8900; MUSD8900
Accompanist UFS Choir
Accompanist Bloemfontein Children`s Choir
Organist Gereformeerde Kerk Bloempark.