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.
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 website of Theater Zuidplein . Dance cast: Programme: Diversion of Angels (premiered on 13 A ugust 1948 ) music: Norman Dello Joio Acts of Light (premi ered on 26 February 1981) music: Carl Nielsen Maple Leaf Rag (premiered on 2 October 1990 ) music: Scott Joplin. T he last completed ballet by Martha Graham Credits:
PINK HORIZONS -between collapse and care- In this contemporary circus performance, Bauhaus serves as both inspiration and point of departure. Pink Horizons explores how creation can emerge from crisis, and how colour and form function as powerful statements rather than mere decoration. Through collective structures and moments of playful disruption, a dynamic composition unfolds in which destruction and care continuously alternate. The performance does not ask what the future will be, but how we choose to shape it. Director: Cox Ahlers For tickets and more information, visit the Circusstad Festival website. Performers/ creators: Third year students Codarts Circus Arts ’25 – ‘26 Emilie Benešová, Lydie Boisset, Edvin Broms, Luigi Fabia Valdatta, Rafael Gonzalez, Anna Rosa Jacke, Manja Köhmstedt, Patricia Leon, Fer Mariscal Jiménez, Christian Martinez Betancourt, Roos Ruitenbeek, Yoav Shemesh, Jerry Simon, Oskar Thomas, Ailvin Turmel, Julie Voisin. Credits: Direction: Cox Ahlers Assistance direction: Nastasja Jagodic Light: Edwin van Steenbergen Sound: William Bakker Rigging: Saar Rombout, Nikolay Pyasta, Erik Berkey Production: Vivian Hendriks Costume design: Loek van Cruchten Graphic campaign image: Emilie Benešová, Jerry Simon, Fer Mariscal Jiménez
In a programme that combines technique, expression and storytelling, participating companies present their latest creations and interpretations. The festival celebrates innovation, artistic vision and the passion of a new generation of dance makers, offering a compelling insight into the future of ballet.
This year, five new faculty members join Codarts Classical Music. Each brings a unique background and specialization – from music history to organ improvisation, and from tuba to bass trombone.
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.
The World Music department was established in the late 1980s by Jan Laurens Hartong and Joep Bor, making Codarts the first conservatoire in the Netherlands to concentrate on musical traditions from various parts of the world. This pioneering effort set a new standard, and over the years, Codarts has distinguished itself internationally through this department. Reclaiming a pioneering role However, an extensive survey of faculty and industry experts revealed that the World Music department, in its current form, no longer met the evolving needs and expectations of students and the music industry. Technological advancements and globalisation have introduced new challenges in music education. In response, Codarts is launching an updated programme that prepares students for an increasingly globalised musical landscape. With this transition, Codarts aims to maintain its pioneering role by focusing on new musical forms and modern technologies, including digital music production and cross-cultural projects with both local and international partners. Key changes Codarts is committed to an inclusive vision, where diversity and globalisation are at the forefront. One of the major changes includes the introduction of two new specialisations: Maqam Music and Afro-Caribbean South American (Latin) Music. To better equip students for international music careers, concrete steps will be taken in entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, and building both local and international networks. This will provide students with opportunities to broaden their horizons and enhance their skill sets. Impact on the music scene The transition of the World Music department is also significant for the music scene at large. By contributing to the development of a new generation of musicians who can bring together diverse musical traditions, Codarts enriches the global music industry. Codarts prepares forward-thinking musical talents for a continually evolving world. In this way, students become experts in their fields, innovative thinkers, and cultural ambassadors, in a world that increasingly requires connection through music. Proud of our alumni Our pride in the World Music department is further amplified by the stories of our alumni, such as Jawa Manla, who recently spoke on the television programme Podium Klassiek. She shared her admiration for Codarts as a unique place in the music world: "A place that changed my life. Nowhere else in the world is world music taken as seriously as classical music and jazz." Jawa emphasised how Codarts has shaped her as both a musician and an individual. Her story underscores why we continue to invest in the World Music department. You can watch the programme through this link .
