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Artist in Residence Orlando Ceder
Artist in Residence Orlando Ceder—singer, arranger, musical entrepreneur, and educator based in Amsterdam-Zuidoost—is committed to bridging cultural worlds through music. As Artist in Residence, he will work to strengthen connections, both musically and educationally, between Amsterdam’s Zuidoost district and the CvA. His efforts will foster a lively exchange of musical ideas, young talent, and fresh perspectives. This initiative aligns with the CvA's vision of being not only the Conservatorium of Amsterdam but also the Conservatorium for Amsterdam: an inclusive, accessible institution with international allure, serving the entire city.
As a CvA alumnus, Orlando Ceder is uniquely suited for this role. Reflecting on his entrance exam, he recalls: “I brought my apinti—a traditional Surinamese percussion instrument—to the audition. Of course, I wanted to be accepted, but even more, I wanted to show the committee what I could bring to the CvA.”
About Orlando Ceder
Orlando Ceder (Amsterdam, 1986) is a graduate of the CvA's Supplemented Programme in Music Education. He is the founder and artistic leader of Black Harmony, a group specialising in close harmony and Afro-Surinamese percussion. Their mission is to connect people through music, offering educational programmes that introduce young people to Afro-Surinamese musical traditions and help them discover and develop their talents.
Ceder’s musical storytelling is deeply rooted in Amsterdam Zuidoost, yet it spans three continents. Blending tradition with contemporary elements, he uses text and instrumentation to make this music relevant for today. As a musical director, he pioneers artistic and educational projects in Zuidoost and has already contributed significantly to the CvA. He has organized working visits to the Zuidoost district and provided valuable advice on strengthening ties between the CvA and the community. At The Pickup, the inspiration days for CvA teachers at the start of the academic year, he curated a session on musical entrepreneurship in Zuidoost.
In 2024, Ceder won the ECHO Award in the ‘HBO’ category, which recognises students from non-Western backgrounds who excel in entrepreneurship, organisational talent, community engagement, and addressing challenges related to exclusion. This award will allow him to attend a fully funded summer school at UCLA in the United States in 2025.
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‘Werken aan een meer divers conservatorium’, interview (in Dutch) by Anne van den Dool in the Cultuurkrant June 2025.
The Cultuurkrant is a publication of LKCA for professionals, policymakers, researchers and administrators in the field of cultural education and cultural participation and appears four times a year. Get your free subscription here.
Orlando x Gillian Moore
Gillian Moore interviews Orlando Ceder about his artistic and educational vision, and how his residency can contribute to new perspectives on music education inside and outside the CvA.
Orlando x Carolien Hermans
Teacher and researcher Carolien Hermans in conversation with Orlando Ceder, about his role as Artist in Residence at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Musical Kickoff with Orlando Ceder
On the first day of the 2025 Introduction Week, almost 400 new students gathered for a collective musical start to the academic year. Led by Orlando Ceder, they rehearsed the Surinamese traditional Perun Perun and learned it as a multi-voiced arrangement in just one 90-minute session. Orlando was assisted by Rashidi Sanchez, a guest artists from the Conservatory of Suriname. Here the group performs the song on the steps of the Public Library, next door to the CvA.