: “ 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, [...] 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 [...] concert organised in collaboration with North Sea Round Town 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the prize. [Photo: De Schaapjesfabriek]
and discover your possibilities. From November 2025 to January 2026, we will open our doors and our digital platforms to inspire you. This academic year, Codarts is organising open days on location [...] your way to a sparkling future! 📅 Period: November 2025 – January 2026 📍 Locations: Live on location (Kruisplein 26 & Pieter de Hoochweg 125), online through Teams and through social media Click here
recap, we look back on a successful edition of Pop op de Kaap 2026. Browse the images below for a glimpse of an evening filled with music, talent and inspiration. Photos: Kelly Alexandre
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
the teaching spaces so that everything was ready for the 2025-2026 academic year. When the doors opened, we didn't just start a new academic year – we also began a new chapter in the history of this
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
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
This exceptional achievement demonstrates how the joint commitment of students, teachers and staff results in education of the highest quality. It places Codarts firmly among the leading arts universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. The programmes Dance, Dance in Education, Music in Education and Circus each received the maximum score of five stars, while the Conservatoire achieved an excellent score of 4.5 stars. The Dance bachelor stands out, having achieved the highest rating in the Netherlands for the sixth year in a row, with a perfect score of 100 points. “These results reflect the strength and professionalism of our community. Every day, students, teachers and staff contribute their energy, talent and dedication to Codarts. That is what makes our programmes strong and ensures we are recognised as a place ‘where it happens’. At the same time, these outcomes challenge us to continue improving – and at Codarts we embrace that challenge together,” said David Lauwen, President of the Executive Board. Other Dutch universities of applied sciences also achieved outstanding results in this year’s Keuzegids, confirming the overall strength of arts education in the Netherlands and the solid foundation it provides for future generations of makers, performers and teachers. Within this strong field, Codarts is especially proud of the recognition received by all its programmes. The Keuzegids hbo is an independent guide that annually assesses the quality of professional higher education in the Netherlands. Its rankings are based on student opinions, study success and labour market outcomes, and are designed to help prospective students make a well-informed choice of study.
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.
The evening marks the closing of the orchestral season and brings together, for the first time in years, an intensive collaboration between the Dance and Classical Music departments on one stage. At the heart of the programme is the work of pioneering modern dance figure Martha Graham. In celebration of the centenary of the Martha Graham Dance Company, a selection of her iconic repertoire will be performed by Dance students, accompanied by the Codarts Symphony Orchestra. Collaboration across disciplines The performance forms part of the annual Martha Graham project, in which students are given the opportunity to work at the intersection of dance and live music. This takes place only once every four years, making it a particularly valuable learning experience for students preparing for careers in dance productions and ballet accompaniment. The combination of choreography and live orchestral music creates a powerful and rare stage experience. The programme includes works such as Diversion of Angels , Acts of Light and Maple Leaf Rag , featuring music by composers including Norman Dello Joio, Carl Nielsen and Scott Joplin. A tribute to a dance legend Martha Graham is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern dance. Her style has influenced generations of dancers and continues to form an essential foundation within dance education. This performance offers audiences the opportunity to experience her work in a contemporary setting, performed by a new generation of artists. More information and tickets are available via the Theater Zuidplein website.
