20 Years of Pop Music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam

In 2003, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam started a study programme in pop music. Now, twenty years later, we can proudly state that the pop department's right to exist as a springboard for creative and innovative pop talents has been proven time and time again.
Our pop musicians release remarkable albums and make international careers with projects such as Dewolff, WIES, Jungle by Night, EUT, Nusantara Beat, MY BABY and many others. Bands from the pop department play at festivals such as Eurosonic Noorderslag, Pinkpop, Best Kept Secret, Lowlands, Down the Rabbithole, Reeperbahn Festival (D), Glastonbury (UK) and SXSW (USA). Additionally, the work of pop students and alumni is regularly honoured with prizes and distinctions such as the Sena Pop NL Award, the Grote Prijs van Nederland, 3FM Awards, Gouden Kalf, the Amsterdam Popprijs and Edisons in various categories. Furthermore, our alumni and students perform with bands such as Spinvis, Maan, Kensington, Blaudzun, Goldband, Bløf and Van Dik Hout.
Alumni of the Pop Department are also active in other branches of the music scene. For example, songwriter and composer Tessa Rose Jackson wrote the music of three films, including the opening film of NFF 2021 Mijn vader is een viegtuig, and NINGDU, which made the IFFR Tiger selection. The song "Wat een dag" by Okke Punt, for Unox's winter commercial, was voted the most popular commercial music of 2015. Romano Wijnstein collaborated with artists such as Typhoon, Mr. Probs, Wende Snijders and Ronnie Flex, for which he received two Grammy nominations and won an Edison. Songwriter and composer Gyo Kretz has won multiple gold and platinum awards for songs for Rolf Sanchez, Vic9 ft. Ronnie Flex, Zefanio ft. Jayh, Tabitha and Sevn Alias.
The pop department has expanded to include a two-year master's degree, the Young Pop Academy for young talents, and an electronic music programme, the Amsterdam Electronic Music Academy (AEMA). During this two-year Associate Degree, students are trained to become electronic artists and producers. Alumni and teachers of AEMA can be seen in clubs and at festivals such as Club Basis, the School, Tomorrowland, Thuishaven, Mysteryland and many other venues.
We invite you all to celebrate 20 years of Pop Department with us on 5 October 2023!
5 October 2023 - Melkweg
A trip down memory lane with bands that have studied at the Pop department for the past 20 years. The first names have been announced! You'll see: Nusantara Beat, ZEP, Sue The Night, Josphine Odhil, Parker Fans, and 'Voldemort'!
Update: Carceri, Meis, Schoppenheer, Swan, Klankspoor, The Great Communicators and Kitchenette will also perform!
Thursday 5 October
19.30 - 02.30h
Melkweg, Amsterdam
Tickets €15,- | Student tickets €10,-
Complete line-up will follow soon - stay tuned!
20 Years of Pop Music - A Timeline
2003
- start of the pop programme

2006
- Signe Tollefsen – Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Best Musician’ and ‘Listeners Vote’

Signe Tollefsen
2008
- Fabiana Dammers - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Singer/songwriter’
- Two Way Radio - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Pop/Rock’
- Marnix Dorrestein - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Best Musician’

Marnix Dorrestein
2009
- Klopje Popje - Amsterdamse Popprijs

Klopje Popje
2010
- Uri Dijk - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘ Rock/Alternative’ and ‘Best Musician’
- The Fudge - second prize Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Rock/Alternative’ and ‘Listeners Vote’
- Nicole Bus - Grote Prijs van Nederland
- Ethereal - Grote Prijs van Nederland
- Yori Swart – Amsterdamse Popprijs

The Fudge
2011
- Yori Swart - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Singer/songwriter’ and Sena Performers POP NL Award
- David Stapel and Paul Bos from Evant Garden – Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Best Musician’
- Chris Kok & Civil Union – Mooie Noten Award

Yori Swart
2012
- Über-Ich - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Bands’
- Lucas Hamming – Mooie Noten Award

Über-Ich
2013
- Tessa Rose Jackson - 3FM Serious Talent Award
- The Silverfaces – Amsterdamse Popprijs

Silverfaces - Photo by Jan Lenting
2014
- Jett Rebel - 3FM Serious Talent Award
- Sarah Jane – Amsterdamse Popprijs
- Bixby – Mooie Noten Award

Jett Rebel
2015
- Jeanne Rouwendaal - Grote Prijs van Nederland ‘Listeners Vote’
- Kensington – Edison ‘Best Rock Artist/Record’
- The Brahms – Amsterdamse Popprijs
- Pitou – Mooie Noten Award
- Okke Punt - finalist Best Singer/ Songwriter of the Netherlands and Best Commercial Song for 'Wat een dag’ (Unox)

Pitou
2016
- Blupaint – Grote Prijs van Nederland
- My Baby – Edison ‘Best Alternative Artist/Record’
- Eelke Ankersmit – Mooie Noten Award

Blupaint
2017
- Kensington – Edison ‘Best Rock Artist/Record’
- Indian Askin – Edison ‘Best Newcomer’
- Tape Toy – Amsterdamse Popprijs
- Jana Mila – Mooie Noten Award

Tape Toy
2018
- launch of the Amsterdam Electronic Music Academy (AEMA)
- Wies – Amsterdamse Popprijs
- Meis – Mooie Noten Award
- Gyo Kretz - Gold Award ’77 Nachten’ (SFB)

AEMA
2019
- AEMA - Associate Degree accreditation
- Wies – Grote Prijs van Nederland
- My Baby – Edison ‘Best Alternative’ and Gouden Notekraker
- DeWolff – Edison ‘Best Rock’
- Susann. – Mooie Noten Award
- Gyo Kretz - Gold and Platinum Award ‘Altijd Op Tijd’ (Vic9 ft. Ronnie Flex); Gold Awards ‘Bewegen’ (Zefanio ft. Jayh), ’Het spijt me niet’ (Tabitha) and ‘Seeka' (Sevn Alias)

Wies
2020
- Darlyn - Zilveren Notenkraker 2020
- Kensington – Edison ‘Best Rock’
- Pitou - 3Package Deal Amsterdam Fund for the Arts
- Gyo Kretz - Gold en Platinum Award ‘Más Más Más’ (Rolf Sanchez)

Darlyn
2022
- launch of AEMA Hybrid
- launch of Young Pop Academy
- Ella van der Woude - Gouden Kalf ‘Beste Muziek’
- Cloud Café – Amsterdamse Popprijs
- Juliet - Mooie Noten Award
- Darius Timmer & Tessa Rose Jackson - Buma Music in Media Award category 'Podcast'

Cloud Café
2023
- Kaya - Mooie Noten Award
- Darius Timmer & Tessa Rose Jackson - Buma Music in Media Award category 'TV series'
- Time to celebrate!
