In the 2024–2025 academic year, the pilot of CvA Explore was launched - a programme for young people from Amsterdam and the surrounding area, focused on introducing them to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) and offering additional music lessons. Many young people have little idea of what studying music actually involves or what opportunities it can lead to. That’s why the conservatory is actively opening its doors to show what’s possible.
To achieve this, the CvA works closely with secondary schools. These schools offer an extra hour of music lessons each week, which motivated students can join on a voluntary basis. Throughout the school year, these students visit the CvA several times to take part in workshops and get to know the conservatory. In this way, we also reach young people for whom studying at a conservatory might not feel like an obvious path.
One of the two secondary schools that took part in last year’s CvA Explore pilot was the Open Schoolgemeenschap Bijlmer (OSB). Music teacher Brandon Delagraentiss - himself a graduate of the Music in Education programme at the CvA and an experienced musician - gave dedicated students extra music lessons throughout the year and guided them during their visits to the CvA.
We spoke with Brandon about his experiences with CvA Explore.
What kind of programme did the students follow during CvA Explore?
Throughout the year, I offered an extra hour of music lessons at school. Apart from DJ-ing, there actually weren’t any extracurricular music activities at OSB. To my surprise, all kinds of students were enthusiastic about joining.
From the CvA, I received a lesson outline that focused mainly on music theory. I used that as the foundation for my extra lessons. I quickly noticed, though, that the students were mostly eager to play. So I started alternating between theory and practice. The structure of the lesson became: 15 minutes of theory, followed by about 30 minutes of practical work - a way to process what we had just learned.
For example, if we had talked about the musical staff, the students would then get sheet music to read and play. I had different parts for various instruments, so they could play together in a band setup. By now, the students are completely used to it: they walk in, pick up their instruments, and they’re ready to go.
Once each term, we visited the CvA - three times in total. Debby Korfmacher, the project leader of CvA Explore, arranged a variety of workshops for us. The first time, for instance, we had a tour of the building and a workshop by percussionist Yoràn Vroom. During another session, the students learned to play in a band formation or to sing in harmony.
At the end of each visit to the CvA, we did an evaluation with the students, where they could share their “tips and tops” - what they thought could be improved and what they really enjoyed. Their feedback was actually taken to heart, so during the next visit, the programme reflected more of what they had asked for, such as more time playing together as a band.
What impact did the lessons and workshops have on the students - what did you notice?
They really enjoyed visiting the conservatoire. Many of them didn’t even know this school existed. They were impressed by the building, and especially by the fact that everyone there - teachers and students alike - was focused on music, just like they were. It really opened up a new world for them, even for those who don’t necessarily want to become professional musicians or music teachers.
I could see how inspired they were, both in their attitude and in their feedback. Some even asked, “What do I need to do to study here?” One student went straight to the head teacher and asked, “What do I have to do, and what level do I need to reach, to make sure I can get into the conservatoire?” He had already done some research himself. The department head was impressed - she hadn’t seen this student as someone who usually took school very seriously.
Of course, there are plenty of opportunities in Amsterdam Zuid-Oost to learn music. What I think is important is that students know all options are open to them. And if they choose a well-established programme that offers quality, the CvA is a great place to be. I can tell them that myself, as a former student.
I also think it’s important that the conservatoire doesn’t just focus on attracting a diverse group of students, but also on creating a place where everyone feels at home. That includes things like having a diverse group of teachers.
What do you think this project has meant for the students?
What I hope is that it shows them that anything is possible for them - even within music. Often, students think, “You can’t really make a living from music,” or “The only work is as a performer, and you don’t earn much.” Many also hear from their parents what a “realistic” career is and what isn’t.
I think what they take away from the programme and the visits to the CvA is that more is possible: there’s a whole school where people study music seriously.
At our school, they have career lessons, and I immediately developed one about the different paid roles that exist in the music industry. During the visits to the CvA, the students got to see these roles in action. It made everything tangible. They take that with them - whether or not they plan to pursue it later.
Was there a workshop or moment during the project that really stood out to you?
There are actually two that I’d like to highlight.
The first was Yoràn Vroom’s workshop. It was our first time at the CvA, and the students didn’t really know what to expect after the tour. In his introduction, Yoràn said, “Actually, Mr Brandon was my first teacher” - and he had indeed met me when he was 17, when I was directing a choir and he was the drummer. I had coached him a bit back then. He added, “Apart from my drum teacher, I never had anyone who really spoke to me like that. So listen carefully to Mr Brandon!” I hadn’t seen that coming, haha.
Yoràn is a teacher, but also a performing artist - and he really connected with the students as people. They listened closely. On top of that, everyone had their own drum during the workshop, so we formed a real drum circle. It was incredibly connecting.
The second workshop that stood out was Pepijn van der Sande’s. I had asked if we could teach the theory in a more hands-on way. Pepijn came in, explained a few things on the board, and then we got straight to work. It was about blues patterns and chord progressions. I heard students say, “Okay, so I could play a chord progression with my right hand and improvise, wow! I’ve always wanted to learn this.” Two of the students also play in church; they said, “We can use this every week.” We were in a studio full of keyboards, so everyone could practice immediately. It was a lesson where theory truly came alive.
What advice would you give to other schools or teachers about participating in CvA Explore?
Make sure to have some hands-on theory lessons ready - that really helps with the extra lessons. As teachers, we’re often busy enough as it is, so don’t hesitate to ask the conservatoire for input or support; they can offer useful ideas.
Update 2025–2026: This school year, five schools are taking part in CvA Explore. In addition, an “out-of-school” group is starting at B! Music School, a music school in Amsterdam Zuid-Oost. This way, young people from Zuid-Oost who don’t attend OSB can also participate in CvA Explore. The schools will come to the CvA on Saturday 1 November and Saturday 7 March for workshop afternoons.
About Brandon Delagraentiss
Brandon, born in Houston, Texas, comes from a musical family of seven children and grew up with a father who was a pastor. He has always been passionate about singing and music. At the age of 11, he started conducting an adult choir.
Brandon completed drama school and a theatre teaching programme in Houston, worked for a long time as an actor, and ended up in Europe as a cast member in a musical in 2005. After that, he came to the Netherlands - and stayed. He has performed widely here, taken the stage on large venues, coached, and taught. After joining OSB as a music teacher in 2023, he completed the Music in Education programme at the CvA. He considers teaching and coaching a true calling. More information can be found on Brandon's website.