Prince William Symphony Orchestra presents a concert featuring four inspiring masterpieces by composers who contributed enduring musical tributes to the homelands they loved.  The program includes Elgar’s Concerto for Cello, with South African cellist Heleen du Plessis; Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite; Smetana’s The Moldau; and Sibelius’ Finlandia.

Heleen du Plessis graduated at the University of Potchefstroom, cum laude, with both piano and cello as principal subjects. She then obtained the Bmus Honores degree in performing arts, also with distinction at the University of Pretoria, with prof. Gerhard van de Geest. She won the FAK Music bursary for four consecutive years, the Collegium Musicum Prize and HSRC Bursary for post-graduate studies. After her studies she joined the National Symphony Orchestra, where she became sub-principal cellist. She continued her studies in Switzerland, while living in Geneva for five years. She obtained the post-graduate performer's diploma "Certificat de Perfectionment" under Daniel Grosgurin.  While abroad she attended and played for master classes with Antonio Ménéses, Janos Starker, Arto Noras, Mstislav Rostropovich and private lessons with Marie-Paul Milone in Paris.

Heleen performed as soloist and in ensembles in and around Geneva, such as the UN celebration of Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk receiving the Nobel Prize in 1994, at the World Council of Churches, the ILO and Oudetoire de Calvin.

Since returning to South Africa she has been teaching cello at the University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand and the Music and Art School in Pretoria, as well as privately. She also obtained the Performer's Licentiate of Unisa with Distinction in 1997. Heleen performs regularly as soloist and in ensemble with the Up Trio, with Wessel van Wyk and Zanta Hofmeyr, who performed the Beethoven Triple concerto in 2002 .For the last two years with the Musaion Trio,with Malcolm Nay and Zanta Hofmeyr, who has performed regulary countrywide.She has been performing recitals with Malcolm Nay since 2003, with widespread appreciation of this very dynamic combination.