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= Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal = Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal is a South African musicologist who has worked in the music industry for over 20 years. He is highly educated graduating with a PhD in Music Business and Curriculum Design alongside 8 other formal qualifications accumulated in his life. In addition to his academic accolades, he has frequently offered his expertise as a part of multiple panels and advisory committees - notably his participation in the creation of the current GET, FET, and HE music curriculums in South Africa. - and has also judged multiple music related competitions such as the National Eisteddfod. Most notably Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal sat as a Judge for the South African Music Awards has also featured as a vocal mentor on the The Voice Angola.

Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal frequently shares his insight into the music world and shares his personal experiences within the industry on his Medium and X pages. In addition to his personal blog, Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal often features on radio interviews - on stations such as Kaya FM, SaFM and 702 - sharing his knowledge on the South African music scene.

Career
Currently, Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal has stood as the director of culture at Southdowns College for over a decade where he actively manages the school's music academy. In addition to the management of the department, he also teaches music to the school's high school.

Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal has also served as head of popular music at the National School of the Arts, head of music and sound engineering and music for EduCor and Head of Contemporary Music and Sound Engineering at Damelin

Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal has also spent time as a tertiary institution lecturer and high school educator having lectured part time at Allenby and the University of Pretoria and lectured Rhodes University.

In addition to his extensive educational career, Dr Leal is also a songwriter and lyricist having written songs for the likes of RJ Benjamin, Yves, Lira and Karen of Idols.

Identity
Although being born and raised in South Africa, both of Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal's parents were born in Azores making him of Portuguese decent. His formative years were filled with issues relating to identity unable to relate with his schoolmates. "I couldn’t win and for the longest time I was ashamed of being Portuguese and tried to suppress my identity."

- Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal After entering university, he came to terms with his culture and origins choosing to embrace his identity instead of suppressing it.

Education

 * Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Cum Laude at Rhodes University (2021 - 2022).
 * PhD in Music Business and Curriculum Design at the University of the Free State (2015 - 2018).
 * Masters of Music, Cum Laude at the University of Pretoria (2013 - 2015).
 * Bachelor of Music, Cum Laude at the University of Pretoria (2011 - 2013).
 * Higher Diploma in Contemporary Music and Business Management at Allenby Campus (2000 - 2001).
 * Diploma in Contemporary Music and Business Management, Cum Laude at Allenby Campus (1999 - 2000).
 * Diploma in Sound Engineering, Cum Laude at Allenby Campus (1998 - 1999).
 * Diploma in Sound Engineering, Cum Laude at Bournemouth and Poole College (1998).
 * Bachelor of Arts at the University of South Africa (1995 - 1998).