Language is music. Music is language. We are passionate about and combine both at HillHaus.
Judith Hill (founder of HillHaus)
About the language …
At high school I studied German, English, Latin and French and Swedish on a private basis. My love and knowledge of foreign languages led me to do a course to become a qualified European Secretary after school. I specialised in Business Correspondence in 4 languages: German, English, French and Spanish. Following my graduation in 2001 I was employed by Dr. Haggeney & Kollegen – a law firm practising in the field of international trademarks. During my employment I gained professional secretarial experience until I moved to South Africa in 2004. Here the next challenge – or should I say language – awaited: Afrikaans. Today I work at HillHaus as a German translator, proofreader, copywriter and transcriptionist in a diverse range of fields, such as tourism, hospitality, religion, music notation – and can’t get enough of language.
About the music …
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, I started playing the piano at the age of six. I continued with flute in high school, graduating with flute as my main subject. At the age of 18, I started taking singing lessons with Lydia Zborschil. While working as a secretary, I conducted the Ludwig-Hofacker Youth Choir for five years and taught music on the sideline before moving to South Africa. Here, I decided to further my studies in singing with Elizabeth Wright at Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre. In 2009 I debuted for the Cape Town Opera ad hoc chorus and passed my DipABRSM singing exam the same year. In the meantime, I am a registered music teacher with UNISA teaching piano, flute, singing and music theory.
Holistic approach
I am not fluent in all the languages or a maestro on all the instruments I once learned. However, the knowledge which I gained through my studies has given me a deep understanding of the structural nuance of language and music. It benefits my approach to translation and my ability to teach music holistically.