Floris Van der Veken, a DMA student and Arts Leadership Certificate of Achievement candidate, was awarded Special Opportunity Grant to attend the Impuls Festival, the 14th International Ensemble and Composers Academy for Contemporary Music. At the festival, Floris engaged in meaningful collaborations, built an international network of peers, and participated in in-depth discussions on contemporary music and the evolving landscape of the music industry.

Reflecting on the experience, Floris highlighted the opportunity to explore career development with renowned saxophonist Marcus Weiss, delving into both the practicalities of running a contemporary music ensemble and the potential of interdisciplinary artistic collectives. The Impuls Festival offered a unique and intimate window into today’s new music scene, enabling Floris to connect with leading voices in the field, an experience made possible through the support of the Special Opportunity Grant.