THE ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE

Innovation built on tradition
The Royal Conservatoire (Dutch: Koninklijk Conservatorium, KC) is a conservatoire in The Hague, providing higher education in music and dance. The Royal Conservatoire was founded in 1826. Since the day it was established the link between innovation and tradition has been at the heart of the institute’s activities. Innovation does not come naturally. It is built on tradition. It is the result of establishing educated relationships between traditional views and new ideas. Tried and trusted conventions are naturally cherished, but often also form the point of departure for the urge to innovate. Every day our staff and students dedicate themselves to creating the right climate for both tradition and innovation to thrive.

We nurture talent
Talent does not come with age. Although talent blooms in its own unique, characteristic and valuable way in every phase of one’s life, an early start is the best entry to music. We provide our pupils and students with an introduction to lifelong learning. We welcome children from the age of five and give them the opportunity to develop their budding talent through a combination of musical education and regular primary and secondary education, up to and including gymnasium level, in our School for Jong Talent. They can then go on to study for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or eventually to a doctoral course leading to a Ph.D. There is also the option of following a one- or two-year preliminary course in preparation for the Bachelor’s or Master’s course (2 years).

Studying at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague
Students of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague are studying at the oldest conservatoire in the Netherlands. They are studying at an institute of music and dance where experiment and innovation go hand in hand with tradition and craftsmanship. And in an inspiring environment where they are taught by leading international musicians and dancers. On graduating, our students have not only mastered the necessary technical skills but have also developed an inquisitive attitude and a lifelong curiosity appropriate to musicians or dancers who will be performing at the highest level.

An international climate
Students at the Royal Conservatoire come from all around the world. We have a relatively large number of overseas students. We also invite many guest lecturers from abroad to give lectures and masterclasses every year. As a result, the institute is imbued with an international vibe and a rich diversity of artistic ideas and influences. We work closely with other educational institutes, companies and venues around the world. Our international exchange programs offer students the possibility of spending some time studying abroad.

Education, Research and Production
Our education (and increasingly our research) is about creating, recreating and presenting − in-house and outside in collaboration with other organizations, institutions and professional colleagues. There is a constant overlap between the study environment and the professional music and dance world. The courses are based on an intensive combination of teaching, research and production, the trinity of elements that constitute our institute’s DNA.

Education 
We endeavor to offer music and dance education of the highest standard, but with the understanding that learning is a lifelong process for students, teachers and anyone who takes themselves and their art seriously.

Research
Everything we do is based on an inquisitive attitude, both in the academic courses at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Leiden and in our Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.

Production
The end result of the professional skills that are learned and the research that is conducted is to be seen in the production and presentation of music and dance performances. The focus of both our Bachelor’s and Master’s courses is to provide students with sound preparation for their professional careers. And that means creating the right balance between theory and practice. Accordingly, during their course, all of our students already establish a relevant network in their chosen professional field. The Royal Conservatoire is at the heart of cultural life in The Hague and far beyond. From the very beginning of their course, the students perform a great deal, which helps to explain why most students quickly find work after completing their course. After all, they have already started establishing a good career while they are studying.

A contribution to the international music and dance world
Studying at the Conservatoire is not just about achieving success, but also about learning, sharing experience, investigating new paths, and experimenting. This approach helps to ensure our music and dance system will remain vital in the future. The Royal Conservatoire wants to make a genuine contribution to the development, and hence the future, of music and dance.

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