Music & Society
Collecting Beats works in differents contexts around the globe aiming to empower artists to use their art to strengthen local communities.
Imagine what a creative mind-set, leadership skills and autonomy could bring, especially when growing up in a disadvantaged position in society?
Although we have different cultural backgrounds, we worldwide share the need for identity, freedom and creation. They bring a sense of belonging, autonomy, self-esteem and the ability to use the power of imagination.
Get a glimpse of the projects Collecting Beats is involved in. Ultimately, Collecting Beats dreams of creating synergy between all these inspiring socially engaged artists and projects worldwide.
The Netherlands
The Transformers
The Transformers is a pop band from Rotterdam that’s all about exchange. The different life experiences of the band members tell a wider story of the city of Rotterdam. These stories – of people with experiences of and with homelessness – are elevated by the skills of professional musicians. The music made can often tap into a deeper layer of meaning and urgency when combined with those stories and the playing of those who have experienced homelessness.
Engaged Conversations
Collecting Beats engages students from conservatories in the Netherlands in creative processes in connection to social contexts. For example elderly homes, mental health care or neighbourhoods. Doing artistic research, creating new connections, designing artistic interventions, interactive workshops and performances, or composing for a specific audience. I help them navigate in topics that come to the surface around the social relevance of art, ego vs. eco thinking, dealing with uncomfortability, equality, shared responsibility, positionality etc.
Muzorgski
Muzorgski brings together parties who make music in a serious and non-therapeutic way with people with mental or (psycho)social vulnerability. Muzorgski combines and strengthens the knowledge and activities of existing and new organisations.
Collecting Beats is actively part of the network, regularly thinking along and designing training sessions for musicians in this field.
Cuba
Yukali
Since 2022 I'm collaborating with Yukali in Cuba. Local violinist Mariana Hutchinson Siemers initiated creative music projects for kids and teenagers in marginalised neighbourhoods in Havana. Besides being a sounding board, mentor and advisor for her and her initiative, I provide yearly training sessions to engage more local artists and build a strong community of likeminded people to move into these places with the power of arts.
The Middle East
Sounds of Change
For four years I’ve been part of Sounds of Change as artistic director and trainer in refugee camps and marginalised neighbourhoods in the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine (West Bank) and Egypt), empowering local young adults to become strong community builders through music making.
