Classical Voice Training · The Note House
Jo-Nette trains singers in the classical tradition — dramatic coloratura and lirico spinto soprano repertoire — drawing on a Master's from Rhodes University, a voice lectureship at UCT's College of Music, and two decades on opera and concert stages across South Africa and Europe.
Control and support for a strong, healthy voice.
Range, tone and clarity built through technique.
Alignment and body awareness for optimal sound.
Bringing meaning and emotion to performance.
Harmony, blend and stage presence in a group.
Lessons at The Note House in Durbanville, or across Paarl and Cape Town.
Book Your First LessonClassical Recitalist · Opera Singer · Master Vocal Coach
International performance experience. Distinguished academic credentials. A lifetime devoted to the art of the voice.
Jo-Nette Le Kay is a dramatic coloratura and lirico-spinto soprano, classical recitalist and master vocal coach with a career spanning international performance, university-level teaching, adjudication and artist development.
Originally from Paarl in the Cape Winelands, her musical journey has taken her from South African concert stages to opera companies and concert halls across the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Croatia.
Jo-Nette’s journey began as a founding member of the Paarl–Wellington Regional Choir, an ensemble that achieved national and international recognition. During this formative period, the choir performed for:
These early experiences formed the foundation of a career defined by musical discipline, international exposure and a deep respect for performance.
Jo-Nette’s repertoire spans the agility of dramatic coloratura and the emotional power of the lirico-spinto voice.
Selected roles: Donna Elvira — Don Giovanni; Lucia — Lucia di Lammermoor; Adina — Don Pasquale; Gilda — Rigoletto; Violetta — La Traviata.
“Watching students develop from their first lessons to the professional stage is incredibly fulfilling. My teaching is embodied: I help each singer understand how the body, breath and voice work together to create sound with freedom, strength and expression.”
Her students range from complete beginners to advanced singers preparing for professional performance and tertiary study.
Jo-Nette’s approach is both technical and deeply individual. She identifies how each singer can use the body more effectively and guides them in developing:
She does not impose a manufactured sound. Her purpose is to uncover and strengthen the authentic instrument already present within each singer.
Recent productions and concert series include Mira Musica — Paarl and Worcester; Viva Variété dinner-theatre concerts; Kuns van die Afrikaanse Kunslied; and concert collaborations with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns.
From students who found their voice at The Note House.
I had singing lessons with Ms. Jo-Nette for a term during my final year at Stellenbosch University’s music department and although I’d only known her for a term, she made quite a positive impression on me. Not only as a singing teacher, but as a person. Ms. Jo-Nette is as bubbly and fun as she is knowledgeable about the art of singing and performing. She strikes a fine balance between work and play, and her calming presence adds an element of safety within her lessons for students to be vulnerable and sing from the heart. I would recommend Ms. Jo-Nette to anyone looking for a singing teacher, whether to sing professionally or just to enjoy and engage with the art of singing. You will be in safe hands.
She is the most patient teacher. She is very passionate about developing the voice. She boosted my confidence as well. Prior to being her student I wasn’t fully confident about my voice. She helped me find my natural voice and embrace it. Today I sing and perform confidently knowing that my voice is unique and trained.
Jo-Nette was my singing lecturer for the year 2023 at UCT. She is super amazing to work with and always makes you feel at home. There’s never been a day where I left my lesson feeling down or not good enough. She’s excellent at explaining singing technique, especially the bel canto style/technique. She is able to simplify the difficult scientific concepts. She’s always approachable and always willing to accommodate an input from a student. From time to time she shares important info to her students (even outside of the singing lesson), such as articles or videos that are beneficial to the students. I highly recommend her to any student willing to take singing lessons from beginner to advanced level.
Jo-Nette was my singing instructor while studying opera singing at Rhodes University from 2015 to 2018. I miss her as a teacher every day. She is very friendly and helpful; it was so much fun having lessons with her. She is also incredible with her technicality and performance styles. The confidence she instilled in me is one of the biggest reasons I now work for one of the biggest record labels in the world. I have had many music teachers, and Jo-Nette is by far the best!
I know Ms Jo-Nette from university. She is the best singing teacher I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Firstly, she’s an amazing person with a beautiful heart and a wonderful spirit. She’s extremely passionate about her craft and her students. Ms Jo is very professional and is always willing to help her students reach their full potential. She’s inspiring to work with and very knowledgeable about her craft. Since taking lessons with her, I’ve experienced a great improvement in my singing and performance skills. I 100% recommend her.
I had Jo-Nette as a vocal teacher and I must say she is fantastic especially when it comes with being patient with her learners. Her expansive knowledge for any kind of vocal teaching is amazing. I learnt a lot from her and recommend her to anyone.
Jo-Nette has taught me a lot about bel canto singing and how to sing to preserve my voice for many years to come. She taught me good skills to work as an opera singer and grow in my future singing career.
I initially met Jo-Nette in my 3rd year of Bmus, at Stellenbosch. She not just taught me, but motivated and encouraged my future career in singing, working with me as a person and ushering me to my own discoveries. She is experienced and well versed in the art of singing and you can expect to discover the intricacies behind it with Jo-Nette’s guidance. I will recommend her to anyone as she has taught me so much in both singing and life and couldn’t be happier with what I have learned from her in the past.
I had the privilege of meeting Miss Jo-Nette at UCT SACM. Each voice lesson I learned something new and developed my talent and confidence more and more under her guidance. She allows one to discover your own voice in a safe space. She is a friendly and warm person who made me feel at home right from the start.
Every lesson is built around your own voice — breathing technique and vocal support, focus and placement, repertoire interpretation, and vocal longevity through the Bel Canto tradition.
The foundation of a healthy, sustainable voice.
Precision in tone, resonance and control.
Bringing meaning, language and emotion to the music.
Bel Canto technique built to protect the voice for life.
A 45-minute, one-on-one lesson — ideal for a first lesson or occasional coaching.
BookEnglish & Afrikaans
The Note House, Durbanville CBD
Also serving Paarl, Somerset West, Stellenbosch & Cape Town. Willing to travel.
Choose a 45-minute lesson, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.
Select a day first, then choose from the available times. Your confirmation will arrive by email.
Select an available weekday.
Lessons are available Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00.
Select a date and time to continue.
Tell Jo-Nette a little about your voice and goals, and she'll be in touch.
Not at all. Lessons are tailored to your level, from complete beginners through to advanced singers preparing for performance.
There's no strict minimum age — Jo-Nette teaches teenagers and adults, and is happy to discuss whether lessons are the right fit for a younger student.
Yes. Many students begin as adults, and it's never too late to build a healthy, well-supported voice.
Lessons are 45 minutes. Many students begin with a weekly lesson and adjust the pace from there based on their goals.
Lessons are based at The Note House in Durbanville. Also serving Paarl, Somerset West, Stellenbosch & Cape Town. Willing to travel.
Jo-Nette has served as an international jury member for singing competitions and brings decades of performance experience — get in touch to discuss preparing for a specific exam, audition or competition.