Koos Ras (Jacobus Adriaan Gerhardus) was born on 4 August 1928, on a farm named Paardekop in Northern Natal Province in South Africa. As a young boy he often visited his father's neighbour (name unknown), who taught him how to play a "Konsertina". In 1971, he opened his business "Kempton Orrel en Klavier Sentrum" (Kempton Organ and Piano Centre). Ras and his wife Bea supplied music instruments and music tuition books to schools, churches and private individuals. Koos died on 17 April 1997. The music centre closed in 2001.