My name is Keely, and I studied at AEMA from 2021 to 2023. Those two years were undoubtedly the most transformative of my career. AEMA opened doors to out of the box ideas in electronic music, teaching me skills that fused creativity with technical understanding; skills I now use to push the boundaries of sound and storytelling. I became super inspired by the engineering and physics of electronics and music and the art of discovery, often asking myself (and my lovely, patient teachers) ‘How does this work?’ and maybe more interestingly ‘Why does this work?’. Alongside my technical development I had incredible guidance and support for my creative ideas and visions from all my teachers, receiving productive and open feedback for what could foster my ideas. I think that’s important to note, AEMA is not trying to mould you into what their idea of ‘art’ is. Teachers who specialise in completely different genres to you won’t try to change you, rather give you the knowledge they know and that can help you with what you do.

Since graduating, I’ve realized my vision by directing and composing post-musical theatre productions that blend electronic and orchestral music with digital visuals, modern dance, and film. My recent production, Before You Even Realised, It Was All Kind of Connected, told a personal story through letters to those who shaped my life, using mixed media, poetry, and digital art to explore themes of relationships, memory, and identity.

Currently, I’m developing Alison, a psychological horror reimagining of Alice in Wonderland that challenges societal control and identity, featuring 360-degree projections, spatial sound, and intricate staging at venues like Muziekgebouw and the ID Lab Theatre, with plans for a club adaptation to bridge theatre and nightlife culture.

Beyond theatre, my music has taken me across Amsterdam and Europe for exhibitions and festivals. I’ve composed for Paris Fashion Week, performed with interdisciplinary collectives, released music with labels like Loch Inn (in collaboration with De School), and worked with inspiring Dutch artists.

Alongside my projects, I teach music production and am currently writing a masters thesis focused on optimising electronic music education for students that struggle with executive dysfunction. Inspired by my own incredible teachers at AEMA who made sure I had access to the education resources I needed, I am passionate about making electronic music accessible through active learning and gamification.

AEMA gave me the skills, curiosity, and community to turn my ideas into reality. The support I received from teachers and peers fostered my love for sound design and composition and my drive to continuously explore what’s possible in art and music. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the education and inspiration AEMA provided.