Bram Invites

one of the largest harp talents in the Netherlands

At the age of 16, Joost Willemze (1996) won the Princess Christina Competition and later International Prizes in Porto (2017) and Italy (2018). His debut CD appeared in 2022 at AVROTROS Classic. In 2023 a tour followed along large Dutch halls, awarded the Dutch Classical Talent Award and the Grachtenfestival prize. He recently made his debut with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in the Concertgebouw and in 2025 he recorded a CD with Italian music at Tactus.

** Bram de Vree: **“Joost Willemze (Dutch Classical Talent 2023) is one of the most expressive and virtuoso harpists at the moment and a sparkling personality. Lovers of the harp will certainly already know him, but if you have never been to a harp concert before: this is your chance to discover the versatility of the harp in the hands of a master storyteller on strings. ”

About Joost Willemze

Joost has been playing Harp since he was seventh and was admitted to the Academy Musical Talent in 2008. He studied at Erika Waardenburg and Edward Witsenburg and gained his master's degree with the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Then he took lessons at Sylvain Blassel at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.

In addition to his music study, he achieved Bachelors in Classical Languages ​​and Russian at Leiden University. He also studied in Rome (Accademia Vivarium Novum) and Sint Petersburg.

Concerts and festivals

Joost gave concerts at festivals such as the Dutch Harp Festival, Grachtenfestival, Stift Festival, Schiermonnikoogfestival, Wonderfeel and Zeeland Classical. He also performed in Rome at the Italian Ministry of Culture and during the Rio Harp Festival in Brazil. In 2019 he gave master classes for Salvi Harps in Spain and Italy.

As an orchestra music, he plays, among other things. With the National Youth Orchestra (NJO) and since 2022 with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EYO), led by conductors such as Iván Fischer and Gustavo Gimeno. He brakes with, among others, The Nedpho, NKO, RPHO and OSR, and plays with ensembles such as Ciconia Consort, Club Classique and the Maestro Jules Orkest.

Known (TV) programs

Joost's television debut was at Ivo Niehe in 2009. In 2010 he played live during the Kinderprinsengracht concert with the Youth Orchestra Netherlands. In 2013 he was a finalist at the evening of the young musician, where he soloed in the harp concert of Ginastera. Joost is now a regular guest at programs such as the Classics, the morning of 4 and Podium Classic.