Want to study classical music? These people did!
Several years ago, they graduated with bachelor degrees in Classical Music. Now they are working as musicians. How do these graduates look back at their time at ArtEZ? In retrospect, what was the most important lesson they learned here? Musician Jasper Arts: "I learned to look critically at my instrument and to continue working and refining it. I've now learned to use that skill in other parts of my life."
Merel Masin
is a singer, maker, and musical theatre artist. She graduated with a bachelor degree in Classical Music with a major in Vocals.
classical music. The classical technique has given me a greater vocal range, a fuller voice, and more control. But I still struggled during the course with who I wanted to be on stage. My uniqueness is in the variety of styles that I sing, the lyrics that I write myself and in who I am on stage. The title of classical singer doesn't suit me. From my third year, I was able to broaden my subjects. I added the major Musical Theatre, for example. That was an eyeopener for me. It made me a feel a singer and stage artiste again."
Dywel Braaf
is a musician who graduated with a bachelor degree in Classical Music with a major in Piano.
"When I played piano, I was totally committed, but I wasn't secure enough in important elements like sound, technique and transmission. So, the message of the music wasn't communicated so well to the listener. During the course, I learned to master these elements, which has enabled me to be more expressive towards my audience."
- Read more about Dywel in this story
- Go to Dywel's website
Sarah Bouwers
is a crossover singer. Her stage name is Aeva Maurelle. Sarah graduated with a bachelor degree in Classical Music with a major in Vocals.
"The most important lesson I learned during the course was to develop my voice and my self-confidence in such a way that I could grow in my strength. My main subject lecturer Claudia Patacca gave me both the support and challenges which allowed me to work towards fulfilling my dream: become a professional singer. During my course, I was also able to try other styles, and experience the differences between pop and classic in a range of projects. After graduating, I started experimenting and combined classic with rock and pop. I took singing lessons all over the world so that I could integrate all the styles for my great passion: crossover singing!"
- Go to Aeva Maurelle's Instagram
- Or her Facebook page
Jasper Arts
Is a musician who graduated with a bachelor degree in Classical Music with a major in Horn.
"From the bachelor in Classical Music, I learned to look critically at something specific - horn - and to continue working and refining it. I've now learned to use that skill in other parts of my life. The most difficult thing for me, still, is to be able to distance myself from that perfectionism. Perfectionism can be unhealthy. Now, I tell myself: your audience is never as critical about you as you are about yourself. By focusing more on working together, it has become easier to enjoy what I do."
- Go to Jaspers website
The portraits of these alumni were created by artist Louise te Poele. In 2008, she graduated from BEAR Fine Art, a course run by ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design in Arnhem. For more info, visit her website.
