The programme showcased a wide range of circus disciplines, including aerial, acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking and object manipulation. Each act was conceived and created entirely by the students, offering a unique artistic perspective on themes such as identity, connection, transformation and imagination. Technical precision, creativity and personal storytelling came together in a diverse series of performances. Take Off is the annual graduation programme of Codarts Circus Arts, providing students with the opportunity to present their work to audiences, fellow students, tutors and professionals from across the industry. The performances mark not only the completion of the bachelor's programme, but also the beginning of each artist's professional career in contemporary circus. With Take Off #17, a new generation of circus artists demonstrated how artistic research, physical virtuosity and personal expression can come together. Once again, the performances reflected the international outlook and innovative character that define Codarts Circus Arts. Read more about the artists and their acts here .
Jesse van Ruller has been a well-known name on the international jazz scene for many years. Since winning the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition in 1995, he has performed with leading jazz musicians from around the world and released several critically acclaimed albums under his own name. Alongside his work as a guitarist and composer, he is also an experienced educator. At Codarts, Van Ruller will teach both main subject guitar and ensembles, joining the guitar team of Ed Verhoeff and Ronald Schmitz. Together with long-standing Artist in Residence Nelson Veras, they offer students an inspiring learning environment shaped by four distinctive artistic voices. Each combines an international performing career with extensive experience in music education. Yaşam Hancılar, Head of Jazz at Codarts, is excited to welcome Van Ruller to the team: "We are incredibly proud to welcome Jesse van Ruller to our team. Jesse is not only one of the most respected guitarists of his generation, but also a thoughtful educator whose artistic vision and experience will be a tremendous source of inspiration for our students. With Ed Verhoeff, Ronald Schmitz, Jesse van Ruller and our Artist in Residence Nelson Veras, we have assembled an exceptional guitar faculty. Together they represent a remarkable breadth of artistic perspectives and teaching experience, offering our students a truly inspiring environment in which to develop their own musical voice." Jesse van Ruller is also looking forward to joining Codarts: "I have come to know the Jazz department at Codarts as an inspiring, ambitious and welcoming place to study. I’m very much looking forward to becoming part of the team."
Built around the themes Silk Roads , South America and Afro-Caribbean Journeys , Wanderlust took audiences on a journey through a rich variety of musical traditions. From Anatolian and Ottoman music to Brazilian, Cuban and Afro-Caribbean styles, the festival demonstrated how cultural heritage, artistic craftsmanship and contemporary interpretations come together within the Global Musics programme. Throughout the week, dozens of ensembles and graduating students performed on the stages of both the WMDC's Grote Zaal and Kleine Zaal. Alongside ensemble performances, individual graduation projects featured prominently in the programme, giving students the opportunity to present their unique artistic voices to audiences, fellow students and staff. Wanderlust is an annual celebration of the international and intercultural identity of Codarts Global Musics. Bringing together diverse musical traditions, the festival highlights the power of music to connect people, cultures and stories. More than the conclusion of an academic year, Wanderlust provides a platform for the next generation of musicians to celebrate and share their artistic development.
From 24 to 28 August, Codarts welcomed its new bachelor students during the annual Kick-Off Week. The introduction week gives students the opportunity to discover what Codarts and the city of Rotterdam have to offer, with one thing at its heart: getting to know each other. The week kicked off on Monday at WMDC. After meeting their own department, the new students were welcomed by the President of the Board and heard from students from different departments. After lunch at Kruisplein, students could visit the information market, where Codarts staff were available to answer questions about topics including registration, housing, healthcare, international affairs, Student Life and facilities. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the focus shifted to collaboration. Students were mixed across departments and worked together in small groups on crossover projects. Musicians, dancers, circus artists and other disciplines had the opportunity to meet and create together from the very beginning of their studies. Thursday marked the festive conclusion of these crossover projects at the Codarts Circus Arts building in Fenix I. The groups presented their work and watched the creations of their fellow students, before ending the day together with drinks. On Friday, most departments organised their own programme, giving students more time to connect with their classmates and get to know their study programme. With five days of meeting, exploring and creating together, Kick-Off Week marked the start of a new academic year and a new chapter for our students at Codarts.
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague Joaquín (Ximo) Clemente Riera on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. Ximo was a principal double bass teacher and department representative at Codarts Classical Music. With him, we lose a versatile musician, a passionate teacher, and a highly valued colleague. Ximo stood out for his broad musical interests and his versatility as a double bassist. He felt at home across a wide range of musical styles and brought that breadth of experience into his teaching as well. After his studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Valencia, Ximo continued his education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He went on to build an international career as an orchestral musician, soloist, and chamber musician. In Spain, he was affiliated for many years with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León. Since 2017 he had lived in Amsterdam, where he was active with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. He also played in various ensembles and musical projects. Teaching formed an important part of Ximo's career. Before joining Codarts, he taught for ten years at the Conservatorio Superior de Salamanca. At Codarts, he shared his extensive expertise and experience with a new generation of double bassists. His enthusiasm for welcoming and recruiting new students was characteristic of him. He once wrote, in a text aimed at prospective students: "Music, the mirror of your soul. Join a school that offers you the freedom and open-mindedness to discover your path. In a nurturing environment filled with motivation and a sense of home, we pursue and achieve the goals each of us aspires to." Words that show how deeply he believed in Codarts as a place where students could discover themselves — and how he embodied that belief himself. We will greatly miss Ximo as a teacher, musician, and colleague. His dedication to his students, his professionalism, and his broad love of music will be missed within Codarts. Our thoughts are with everyone who was close to him. We wish them strength during this difficult time.
We are delighted to share that Codarts Musical Theatre recently awarded the Erasmus Scholarship for the very last time. This year, the grant went to three talented fourth-year students: Tess van de Hoef, Stian Olesen, and Jasmijn Veerman. The three students have formed a new musical theatre collective - still without a name, but one is being worked on behind the scenes. Their collaboration began two years ago when teachers brought them together for a school project. It quickly became clear that their combination had much greater potential. In their third year, they explored this further, which ultimately led to the creation of their collective. The trio creates musical theatre driven by a fascination with the absurdities of everyday life. They are excited to continue their collaboration after graduation and are grateful for the trust their teachers have placed in them. With plans to perform at festivals, the Erasmus Scholarship provides valuable support for the next steps in their artistic journey. The scholarship is awarded to students who not only excel in talent but are also ready to take the next steps alongside or after their studies, such as attending masterclasses and internships.
Each year, the week highlights a specific health theme within dance. In 2026, the focus is on mobility and flexibility. Within the dance world, flexibility is often seen as an important quality, but mobility goes beyond mere suppleness. It is about developing a range of movement that is not only extensive, but also controllable, functional and safe for the dancer’s body. During this week, knowledge was shared internationally on how dancers can integrate mobility and stretching into their training in a responsible way. Codarts also dedicated attention to this, including activities and workshops organised by Student Life and specialists from the Performing Arts Health Centre. Read more here about this year’s theme: mobility and flexibility. Looking back: REDs as the 2025 theme During the IYDHA Week of 2025, the theme was Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). REDs occurs when a dancer’s energy intake is not balanced with their training load. This can lead to various physical and mental issues, such as an increased risk of injury, reduced muscle strength, concentration problems and hormonal disturbances. Through lectures and information sessions, attention was given during this week to recognising and preventing REDs, as well as to the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between training, nutrition and recovery. With the annual IYDHA Week, the international dance community continues to promote accessible knowledge on dancer health for students, teachers and families, contributing to the healthy and sustainable development of young dancers. Read more here about the REDs theme.
This year the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in our beloved city of Rotterdam! Many Codarts students, teachers, alumni and staff are involved to make this huge event a great success. Think of working as a stand-in, playing for the delegations in the official side event, or simply being a Eurovision fan. Shalisa van der Laan https://youtu.be/9T4OJopp5CM Hans de Munnik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdy8ZN4ZCKc
The V.S.R. Quintet combines traditional and modern jazz influences while exploring new rhythmic and sonic possibilities. The ensemble’s music reveals influences from artists such as Linda May Han Oh, Ben Wendel, Antonio Sánchez and Kneebody, while at the same time developing its own contemporary sound. The band consists of: Vishal Singh Rebari – double bass Jakob Sedmak – piano Andrew Moreno – guitar Rapolas Aušrotas – saxophone Laurens Buijs – drums According to the jury, the 30th edition of the Erasmus Jazz Prize featured an exceptionally high level of musicianship. The three finalists led their ensembles with great control and artistic vision. The jury - consisting of Salle de Jonge, Marike van Dijk, Jelle Roozenburg, Alessandro Fongaro and Co de Kloet - praised the quality of the compositions, the ensemble playing and the stage presence of the musicians. About the winner, the jury said: “ The winner of this year’s edition, Vishal Singh Rebari with his own V.S.R. Quintet, proved to be a rough diamond that captivated the members of the jury. We are curious to see how Vishal and his band will continue to develop. ” Rebari himself calls the prize a great honour: “ It is a tremendous honour to receive the Erasmus Jazz Prize 2026. What makes this moment even more special for me is that I was able to share the stage with such inspiring musicians and friends, who helped turn my ideas into music. ” The Erasmus Jazz Prize is organised by Codarts Rotterdam and celebrated its 30th edition this year. Thanks to the support of main sponsor Nedspice, LantarenVenster and the Friends Foundation of Codarts, the Erasmus Jazz Prize remains an important stepping stone for emerging jazz talent. The prize includes €3,000 in prize money, a performance on the Talent Stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2026, and an interview in the injazz podcast. In addition, all finalists will have the opportunity to perform together with the New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra during a special concert organised in collaboration with North Sea Round Town 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the prize. [Photo: De Schaapjesfabriek]
The event combines a showcase festival with an international music conference and focuses on presenting European music talent. For Codarts, ESNS is a familiar place. Every year, students and alumni are visible across the festival, both on stage and behind the scenes. ESNS therefore serves as a meeting point where education and professional practice come together. Penguin Radio Showcase From Wednesday to Friday, the Penguin Radio Showcase takes place alongside ESNS. This is a free programme outside the official festival venues. On Thursday evening, Codarts students will perform at De Drie Gezusters on the Grote Markt: 20:00 – FAELA Singer-songwriter with a mature sound and a strong voice. 20:55 – ANIQUE Pop artist from Rotterdam who turns personal stories into modern, accessible pop songs. 21:50 – Yasmina Warm, melodic pop songs focused on emotion and self-reflection. 22:45 – Idrys Kai Emerging vocalist combining jazz, R&B, hip hop and Ghanaian highlife in a personal style. DJ booths sy-ki – Producer and DJ with a futuristic bedroom-pop sound. Thyme Flies – DJ and producer playing groove-driven sets influenced by soul and funk. Codarts alumni at ESNS Several Codarts alumni will also perform at Noorderslag. Min Taka presents music that moves between jazz, pop and other international influences. She was recently named by de Volkskrant as one of the talents to watch in 2026. Roufaida is also part of the Noorderslag programme. Her music blends alternative pop with North African musical traditions and poetic lyrics. In recent years, she has played at many festivals in the Netherlands and abroad, including earlier editions of Noorderslag. KAGAMI is also on the line-up. This Dutch cosmic funk duo draws inspiration from French disco and Japanese city pop. Influenced by artists such as Daft Punk and Tatsuro Yamashita, their music combines nostalgic sounds with modern pop production. With both students and alumni on the programme, Codarts shows at Eurosonic Noorderslag how artistic development continues from education into professional practice, within today’s music scene.
