Oor Petronel

This theatre entrepreneur, arts developer, power-house voice and diva is a passionate and talented artist. She writes, performs and produces her own productions and music from the country of her birth, South-Africa.

Growing up in the beautiful Overberg town, Villiersdorp of the Western Cape of the country, Petronel use to sing and dream of a career in entertainment. The town’s people loved to see her dancing in the wind and singing to the trees. In 1999 she won a national singing competition called ATKV-Crescendo and her Alma Mater were the firsts to vote for her.

Petronel has an astounding voice and after winning this competition, started touring the country with her own, unique cabaret shows. She soon got involved in theatre and cultural development and has served on many committees and theatre collectives to develop the arts and artists of the South-African community. That recently includes being a mentor for ATKV-Crescendo who operates as a talent scouting agency today, being a patron for the cultural forum, MOCCA, in her home town Mossel bay and served with the Western Cape Cultural Commission for six years, heading as chair person in her last term there.

In 2020 she was awarded with the Cordis Trust “Orde van die Beiteltjie” - a very special award for her continued support of the Afrikaans culture and still continues in the creation and establishment of opportunities and many adventures as an artist not only for herself, but many others too.

She has also been nominated for a SAMA and FNB Theater Award for best Cabaret Artist and in 2024 was awarded "Die Orde van die Ster" by Cordis Trust for her continued dedication and creation in the South African arts and culture sector.

Shows and tours include her very special production, "'n Blom in Elke Vrou" that graced the stages of some of the best arts festivals in South Africa,  "Verdubbel die Geluk" with fellow-artist Stef Kruger,  an annual Cabaret in Great Brak River on behalf of local charities where she is the musical director, shows with the South Cape Children's Choir of the renowned Jan-Erik Swart, more recently "Asemhaal" a show with her music and the poetry of Hannes Visser, "Music and wine pairing" with Schalk Maas, "Triptruuk" with Soetmelk and Stef Kruger, "Salty River Sunset Soirèe's" a monthly cabaret in Kleinbrakriver with various guests and many more. She also tours with singer Jannie Moolman and recently a beautiful collaboration with artist Lidi de Waal that went to the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in Oudtshoorn.

Petronel has performed and shared stages with artists like McCoy Mrubata, Karin Hougaard, Craig Lucas, Riku and Jackie Lätti, Sarah Theron, Gert Vlok Nel, Piet Botha, Mel Botes, Min Shaw, Nico Carstens, Jannie du Toit, Bacchus Nel, Churchill Naudé, Frazer and Deniel Barry, Deon Meiring, RAAF, Gian Groen, Ramon Alexander, conductor Eric Rycroft and the Pretoria, Philharmonic orchestra, the Cape Town Philharmonic orchestra and various live TV performances with great South African Musicians. 

She hosts a variety of solo performances under "Musiek van die Lang Vrou" that varies in content with her vast repertoire of original music, arrangements and covers of music that influenced her. "Ek het jou Onthou", her latest, is a beautiful show with the music of timeless musicals from her youth.  She does all this in her own, special and highly creative way.

Petronel specializes in arrangements and released a full album, "The Hovering" with the poetry of artist and writer Louisa Punt-Fouchè on the 4th of July 2025 and released an album with the poetry of artist Lidi de Waal, "Vrou, Vrouer, Vrouste" on the 5th of August 2025 at "Die Kalfiefees" in Hermanus.

Petronel is classically trained, plays piano and guitar and specializes in the arrangements of poetry, constructing music as a poem itself. She has an enigmatic, giving stage personality.

Petronel Baard.

Singer-songwriter.

The ultimate performer.