Academy of Pop Music student Kees: “Enschede is simultaneously progressive and full of contradictions”

Deciding on the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede

I started out in music by playing guitar as a way to outshine my brother. He had started making music, and as it happens often with brothers, I wanted to be better than him. The guitar quickly became a profound source of inspiration for me. Even now, it feels like I could keep rediscovering the secrets of this instrument for my whole life. While in secondary school, I started playing in a cover band. I liked it so much that I quickly wanted to devote my days to music. My focus on school dropped by the wayside, which my parents noticed. They were teachers at the school I attended, so I couldn’t hide it from them, but fortunately, they supported my dreams. It was actually their idea for me to transfer to a HAVO (GCSE Dutch equivalent), so that I could start studying as quickly as possible at conservatory. Together we toured the ArtEZ Open Day in Enschede, where I was able to see several bands performing live. It wasn’t the music per se that sparked my interest so strongly, but the level of professionalism and the individual sounds of the bands. I didn’t attend any other school’s Open Days because I knew immediately, I wanted to study here. And luckily, that’s what happened.

I knew immediately: I wanted to study here. And that’s luckily what happened."

Within the first week, I met musicians that I later would go on to play with in Oh Whale. This was the first band for which I started composing music myself, and that was the kindling for me. Further on in my studies, I met some more musicians who I now play with in the bands Droom Dit and Beter Leven. Of course you never know what would have happened if I had gone to another music school, but my gut feeling during the Open Day turned out to be right. Everyone is super supportive, and people are eager to collaborate. On top of that I have found such special, authentic musicians and artists who I enjoy working with.

Kees on stage. Photo: Denise Eleanora

On the hunt for a room in Enschede

I’m originally from Borculo, about an hour away by bus from Enschede. The trip is a great time for a nap, but at a certain point, it was time to find my own room in Enschede. In the evenings, I had been going more and more often to jam sessions in the city and I was ready to make the move anyway. Through my band, I learned that there was a student house where mostly Academy of Music and AKI students lived, and I moved in. It is so nice to be in a house where people are not bothered by the fact that you have to practise the same guitar riff a hundred times! As it happens, I am going to move out soon, but it has been such a treat to live there. It’s not as difficult and expensive to find a room in Enschede as it is in, say, Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Utrecht. And once you know a few people, there’s a good chance an opportunity will come your way.

Enschede feels inclusive

Some people view Enschede as way out in the middle of nowhere, but I feel very comfortable here. In the past it was a working-class city, and you can see that reflected in the “less talk, more action” cultural attitude. At the same time, I don’t think you could label it as a conservative city. There is a strong countercultural undercurrent of artists and creatives that is steadily growing stronger. You can see that in places such as Tankstation, the Gogbot Festival and the artist studios that transform into amazing dance spots in the evenings and at the weekends. Also, the Metropool pop venue offers a super diverse programme, and on top of that there are countless pubs, each with their own loyal regulars. There’s really something for everyone. Enschede feels inclusive that way. I can wear whatever I want and won’t be stared at. Plus, if I do want to travel somewhere else, I’m easily connected by the train.

“Choosing to study in Enschede is not only good for your studies; you’ll find a lovely community here as well”

Don’t let the fact that Enschede isn’t located within the Randstad hold you back. Here, you won’t get distracted by hype, and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Choosing to study at the Academy of Music in Enschede isn’t just good for your studies. You’ll also find a lovely community on top of that. People here are hard at work in the pop, media music, music therapy and music education industries. Above all, it’s quite easy to connect with the AKI students. For me being involved in this network is a hidden treasure. It inspires me, and I am able to have several opportunities to collaborate with interesting creatives and musicians.

Learn more about studying in Enschede