MARCEL ANDRIESSEN

The performing arts have always played a prominent role in my life. I started playing percussion at an early age, but when at conservatory I discovered that my interest was broader then just playing music. Being on stage, sharing sounds, words, moves and images in a collective was what I liked to do most. I managed to steer my career in this direction and eventually I performed with many contemporary music, dance and theatre groups for almost thirty years.

 

Along the way I learned to connect and find ways to create and start new initiatives with others. I also discovered I had some organising talent, quite often I took this role when working in a group.

 

When I was asked to teach percussion at Fontys conservatory in 2006, I found out that sharing your knowledge, experience and the love for art is also a very rewarding way of working in performing arts. Gradually my scope changed and  headed to teaching and education.

 

Before I completely surrendered to arts education, I wanted to see if working in a different sector also felt as rewarding. Together with my partner I started as an entrepreneur in shoes. Resulting in a shoe shop in the centre of Amsterdam (2006-2012) and an online webshop in handmade clogs.

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But as mentioned before, the performing arts were drawing me back, even though the focus changed from 'performer' to 'teacher and coach'.

My work at Fontys School of the Arts extended form percussion teacher, to study career- and research coach, to co-ordinator and eventually managing director of an education programme.

Still my focus is on arts, no longer as performer, but primarely as organiser and facilitator for the youngest generation to support them to create beautiful things.

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