Mathilda Hornsveld graduated with a B Mus (Performers) from the University of Pretoria. She joined Pact (Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal) as a pianist in 1980 with the inception of its Permanent Opera Chorus. In this capacity, and subsequently as repetiteur, coach and backstage conductor and chorus master, she has worked on all major opera productions for the State Theatre until 1993. She returned as chorus master on an ad hoc basis from 1997 until the closure of the theatre in 2000.
During her tenure as Chorus Master, she also appeared as assistant conductor for various musicals, conducting some performances every week.
She worked nationally as a freelance coach, chorus master and adjudicator of choral competitions.
She has conducted two productions of Fiddler on the Roof in Bloemfontein - one for Pacofs and the other for Unisi Girls High School. During her time at the State Theatre she did two workshop operas, The Medium by Menotti and Savitri by Holst. She also conducted productions of La Traviata and Fledermaus in Windhoek.
 
Since 1993 she has worked as an accompanist at Pretoria Boys High School where she also conducts their bi-annual musical productions.