Sweelinck Academy

National academy for exceptionally gifted young musicians

The Conservatorium van Amsterdam's Sweelinck Academy offers excellent music education to highly talented musicians age 8-18, with a focus on classical music. The study programme is designed to stimulate the development of young musicians who show exceptional talent and who need support on a high level. The Sweelinck Academy provides weekly individual principal subject lessons and lessons in music theory, ear training and harmony, plus a fully integrated chamber music programme. Throughout the year, focus days are organized on topics such as choral singing, improvisation, composition, movement or stage presentation.

With lessons generally taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, the Sweelinck Academy can be easily combined with regular primary or secundary education. The Conservatorium van Amsterdam also offers the possibility of combining the Sweelinck Academy with secondary education at the Gerrit van der Veen College in Amsterdam or the IVKO, and partially fitting the music lessons into the school timetable. Because of the amount of time the instrument already takes up at this stage, according to a governmental arrangement it may be possible to be exempted from some school subjects. For more information please contact the Sweelinck Academy at , or the Gerrit van der Veenschool at

Head of Sweelinck Academy: David Kuyken