The semi-finalists featured six outstanding acts: The Sage Trio with Anne-Roos Broekhuizen, Eñaut Armentia Quartet, Paper Blue with Francisco Rodríguez Lisbona, George Hytiroglou Sextet, AYÊ with Inês Kosters, and Jakob Sedmak Quartet. The prestigious annual competition, organized by Codarts in collaboration with the main sponsor Nedspice, the Friends of Codarts Foundation, and Lantaren Venster, continues to provide a platform for the brightest emerging jazz talents. The jury, comprising Bart Wirtz (saxophonist, composer, and former Erasmus Jazz Prize winner), Mijke Loeven (director of BIMHUIS
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
Today, both are lecturers at Global Musics. Lilian teaches Brazilian vocals at Caribbean and South American Music. Mutlu teaches Anatolian and Kurdish traditions at Maqam and Modal Cultures along the Silk Roads. The way they absorbed music from home is reflected in how they shape their lessons. Music isn't learned through rules but by experiencing it, living it - both are convinced of that. And one thing is indispensable: the story. "If you want a student to feel a deep connection with the music, you always have to tell the story", Mutlu explains. "Who wrote it? And above all: why?" Lilian offers
For the first time in many years, the Codarts Symphony Orchestra returns to perform together with the Codarts Dance Company in their annual Martha Graham project. Once every four years, students of the Codarts Symphony Orchestra have the opportunity to collaborate with a dance production and learn from this form of collaboration, something they may also encounter in their future careers when accompanying dance productions or ballets. Please note: only on 20 April will the dance production be performed live with accompaniment by the Codarts Symphony Orchestra. Find more information and tickets on the
Find more information and tickets on the website of TivoliVredenburg.
Find more information and tickets on the website of Theater Ludens .
The last orchestra project of the season will take place in April 2026 with a very special collaboration between Dance and Classical Music departments. For the first time in many years, the Codarts Symphony Orchestra will return to perform together with the Codarts Dance Company in their Martha Graham project, which takes place yearly. Once every four years, the students in the Codarts Symphony Orchestra will have the opportunity to work with a Dance production and learn from the format and collaboration which may also be part of their futures when performing Dance productions, such as ballets
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
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
