The Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam has recently appointed two new harp teachers, Joost Willemze and Albane Baron, both starting in 2026. According to a press release, they join current teacher Lenie de Meij to form a team of three that works closely on education, artistic projects, and curriculum development. Students receive lessons from all three teachers and take part in a joint workshop each semester.
Willemze is the new principal subject teacher of harp, working with bachelor’s and master’s students on solo and chamber repertoire. He is active as a soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. “I am passionate about guiding young harpists in developing their artistic voice, technical strength, and professional focus,” Willemze says. “When we look at the harp today there is still so much to discover and to develop. … My goal is to support students in becoming not only skilled harpists, but open-minded, versatile, and engaged musicians.”
Baron will take on the role of teacher of orchestral repertoire studies in harp, drawing on her professional orchestral experience as current solo harpist of the Rotterdam Philharmonic. “The purpose of my playing and teaching is always to understand with more clarity the music, its style, its [compositional construction], and its technical challenges, to allow a vibrant dialogue between the intentions of the composer and [those] of the performer,” Baron says.
De Meij, who previously served as co-principal subject teacher of harp at Codarts with former faculty member Gwyneth Wentink, remains connected to Codarts as a harp teacher for the preparatory program, the Codarts Lyceum, and students not majoring in harp. In addition, she teaches pedagogical subjects and is the harp department representative. “As a harp teacher, I focus on learning through experimentation, so that students develop into independent musicians who can contribute to society with their art,” de Meij says.
