Mieneke van der Velden studied with Wieland Kuijken in The Hague and completed her studies in 1988 with the Performer’s Diploma. One of northern Europe's leading players, she has been invited to play at various festivals in the Netherlands and across Europe, in a wide range of chamber music ensembles as well as a soloist in renowned ensembles such as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra (Ton Koopman), Concerto Vocale (René Jacobs), Collegium Vocale (Philippe Herreweghe), Les Talens Lyriques (Christophe Rousset) Netherlands Bach Society (Jos van Veldhoven), and Cantus Cölln (Konrad Junghänel). She plays music ranging from the French viola da gamba repertoire, and 17th century English music, to Bach's obbligato solo arias and cello suites.

Mieneke van der Velden has recorded several CDs, all of which have been critically acclaimed. She teaches viola da gamba at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.