Rosanne Goldman was born Rosanne Crook in Johannesburg, South Africa. At 22 months of age she contracted severe polio, leaving her with paralysis from the waist down. Despite this, Rosanne learned Piano, Clarinet, Singing, Painting, Speech and Drama and swam a mile a day. All on top of mainstream school and daily physiotherapy sessions.
Her exceptional talent was spotted early, and she was selected to sing solo on South African National Radio as a child.
Pioneering change
Rosanne went on to complete a B. Mus degree at the University of Witwatersrand, studying Clarinet with Mario Trinchero. Her grades were so exceptionally high that she was admitted to medical school.
However, due to sexual and disability discrimination, at the conclusion of her first year studying medicine, she decided to turn to education. Rosanne earned a post graduate Higher Education Diploma in both music and English.
Rosanne’s battles with discrimination did not end there. At the time there was a law that prevented people with disabilities from teaching. She was determined to change this.
Dressed in her fashionable, colourful clothing, she walked into a room full of men in suits. She charmed them and they were “eating out of the palm of her hand”. That day the law changed.
Rosanne’s influence reverberates in thousands
Rosanne went on to teach in four countries (South Africa, Israel, Australia and UK). She had her own private Clarinet studios in those countries as well.
In Israel, Rosanne gained a diploma in Music Therapy. She worked in a closed ward with psychiatric patients who committed terrible acts. She also taught in special schools in Israel and Australia.
She helped children who could not speak, to speak. She helped young and old to turn off their disturbing thoughts and unwanted voices.
Rosanne’s influence reverberates in thousands, fondly remembered as an exceptional teacher who exuded warmth and a sense of fun, a gifted music therapist, a loving wife, mother to three daughters and grandmother to three grandchildren. She will be missed greatly.
Rosanne passed away on 27 July 2024 and had been in MU membership for over 18 years.
This tribute has been provided by one of Rosanne’s daughters, Gavriella.