With deep sadness we have been informed of the passing of our former teacher, alumnus, composer, and conductor Carlo Balemans. Carlo left an enduring mark on the world of music and on Codarts Rotterdam.

For almost twenty years, Carlo was a dedicated member of the teaching staff at Codarts, where he taught, among other subjects, Wind and Fanfare Conducting and Orchestral Conducting within the Classical Music Department. He guided generations of students, instilling confidence and helping them grow. Carlo had a remarkable ability to bring people and artistic disciplines together: he bridged classical music with other musical traditions and showed how the performing arts can connect people in meaningful ways. Together with Annemieke Wijers, he developed the crossover project for the introduction week – an initiative that grew into a valued and unifying part of the academic year.

Beyond his work at Codarts, Carlo was active as a conductor and composer across a wide spectrum of musical styles. He had a deep love for electronic orchestral music and embraced digital tools as fully fledged instruments. He worked with both amateur and professional ensembles and continually sought collaboration with artists from around the world.

We will greatly miss Carlo – his humour, his warmth, his belief in people, and his passion for bringing others together. What remains is the inspiration he leaves with everyone who met him or had the privilege of working with him. Our thoughts are with all who were close to him. We wish them strength in this difficult time.