About
Naarden International Piano Festival was founded at the end of 2018 to serve and nourish young pianists, that are about to graduate from the Conservatory and are ready to dive into the independent music world.
Young talents, hand picked for the “Discovery” Concert Series, will have an opportunity to personally meet well experienced Master Pianists, will receive their advice and guidance. They will also receive the opportunity to perform concerts, attended by Honorary Guests consisting from representatives of major concert halls, music agencies and record labels.
The festival hosts two concert series: Master Pianist Concert Series and Discovery Concert Series. The audience will also get the chance to attend interviews with pianists and members of the Honorary Guests.
- Nino Gvetadze – Artistic Leader
- Dorien van Londen – Business Leader
- Marco van Es – Marketing and Communication
- Satu Hoogeveen – Producer
Honorary Guests
During the Naarden International Piano Festival, several Honorary Guests are specially invited. They represent the Dutch concert world, including impresarios, programmers and concert hall directors. The young piano talents get the chance to exchange ideas with them.
In 2021 we invited the following Honorary Guests:
- Leontien van der Vliet – Managing partner Interartists Amsterdam
- Stijn van der Schoor – Assistant programmer The Concertgebouw Amsterdam
- Jasper Bartlema – Programmer Waalse Kerk Amsterdam
- Liesbeth Den Boer – Programmer Philharmonie Haarlem
- Jan-Willem van Ree – Programmer Edesche Concert Hall
The Robert F.W. Bruinsma Foundation

The idea for this foundation arose a long time ago, following the passing of my husband Robert Bruinsma. We wanted to help young people on their way and provide them with opportunities to further develop their talents. Our attention was predominantly focused on piano students.
It took several years before our idea began to take shape. In 2015 we finally launched the Robert F.W. Bruinsma Foundation!
It became a foundation that supports mainly young musical talent, both financially and practically, and offers them a platform to present themselves. Not just to an audience, but also to representatives of concert halls and music agencies.
The board of our foundation consists of three enthusiastic and competent people. Furthermore, we managed to gather several experts to support us in the musical area. I consider myself very lucky to have these people around! Their presence, thoughts and advice are a great contribution to this project.
We have had a lot of plans from the beginning, but we started with converting the former Andreas church in Naarden Vesting to a concert hall. This will be our foundation for the future. Our own place where young, talented pianists can come to make music, perform and practise with friends. But we also welcome other cultural talents! The transformation of the building was completed in the beginning of 2018, and BIJ ANDREAS is now a fact.
During the renovation we already contacted music schools, conservatories and other cultural institutions. Time and again, they will let us know which talent needs our support, and in what way we can provide that support.
Hankie Bruinsma Verbrugh
Chairwoman