Sterling EQ

Meet the Artists

Carina

Carina began playing flute at age 14 and piano from age 9, performing her first professional gig the same year she started flute. She graduated cum laude with a BMus (Hons) from Stellenbosch University, specialising in solo performance, and received multiple awards and bursaries.

She later expanded into jazz studies and performed with blues and jazz artists, while also leading and touring classical crossover productions such as Flute for Thought and Cosmopolitan Flute. Her career spans orchestral solo performances, international collaborations, and diverse ensembles including Salsa Candela, ACE Quartet, and Casta Alma. She has appeared as guest soloist with the KZN Philharmonic and Cape Philharmonic orchestras.

Beyond music, Carina is a decorated long-distance swimmer, having competed internationally and set multiple records. She has received media recognition including Cosmopolitan’s “Awesome Woman,” Glamour’s “Women We Love,” and Sports Illustrated’s “Top 10 Beauties of Sport.”

She describes her musical philosophy as combining classical discipline with creative freedom, allowing her to experiment and expand the expressive range of the flute.

Influences: Ian Anderson, Latin music, Vanessa-Mae, Celia Cruz, Lara Fabian

Luca Hart

Luca is a cum laude graduate in Music Technology from Stellenbosch University. She began violin at age 9 and piano at age 5, and won recognition early through her gypsy and flamenco-inspired duo Luma, which won the Maties Talent competition in 2011.

She has performed internationally with orchestras and ensembles across Europe and studied music performance, composition, and technology. Luca is also a composer and session musician, contributing to film soundtracks including My Hunter’s Heart, Skoonheid, and Kumba, and working in sound engineering alongside major South African and international producers.

Her orchestral and touring experience includes performances in Vienna, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany, as well as collaborations with leading classical musicians such as Joshua Bell.

Luca’s work blends classical performance with contemporary sound design and global influences, with a strong focus on emotional expression and musical innovation.

Influences: Latin music, dubstep, Hans Zimmer, Sofia Vergara, Shakira

Ariella

Ariella began her musical journey at age 5, excelling in both music and drama. She holds a BA Honours in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town, graduating with distinction in Drama and First Prize for English Acting.

Originally trained in classical piano and percussion, Ariella found her true passion in cello, performing in chamber groups such as ACE Quartet, Wired, Simply Strings, and Pizzazz, as well as with the National Youth Orchestra and Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

She has contributed to numerous recordings and collaborations with artists such as Jason Reolon, Lionel Bastos, Inge Beckmann, and Paul Abro, and has worked on film and music projects including work with The Black Heart Gang and other South African creatives.

Ariella is also an actress, appearing in commercials and music videos, and is a trained writer with qualifications in magazine journalism and creative writing. She is active as a music educator and has a strong interest in travel and yoga.

She credits Sterling EQ with expanding her versatility and adaptability as a performer across genres and settings.

Influences: Apocalyptica, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, Yo-Yo Ma, Latin-American music, Romantic string quartet repertoire