Willem Jan Keizer
Specialist in Communication and Networking
E: info [at] willemjankeizer.com
Willem Jan Keizer is a specialist in communication and networking within the field of classical music. He has worked in the classical music industry for more than thirty years as a guitar teacher, music critic for publications such as Dagblad Trouw, Rotterdams Dagblad and Het Financiëele Dagblad and repertoire specialist, manager front office and library for Albersen Verhuur. He also serves on multiple boards such as the Otto Ketting Foundation (Otto Ketting Stichting), the Netherlands Student Chamber Orchestra (NEsko), and the Pijnacker-Nootdorp advisory council for arts and culture. His access to a large, international network and unique understanding of the classical music business makes Willem Jan a powerful asset to any project or planning.
Willem Jan has an especial interest in helping classical music and culture remain a sustainable part of the future. This is not something that can be done alone. Connecting people and finding solutions is what his business is all about.
Willem Jan is available to consult and connect in the Netherlands and abroad. He can be hired on day rates or for more specialised projects. If you’d like to collaborate, please get in touch via the contact form. Just want to meet up and find out more about the possibilities? Invite Willem Jan to meet up for a friendly cup of coffee and informal discussion.
Work Experience
- Independent consultant and interim manager for the Nationale Opera (Dutch National Opera; replacing general manager music library; internal advise contracts and copyrights – 2022-2023); NPO Radio 4 (national classical music network) on grand rights as per 2023; Nieuw GeNeCo (nationale composers alliance) in coaching member-composers; advisory board contracts and copyrights as per 2023; general consult for Codarts Rotterdam on the internal copyright processes (2021)
- Repertoire specialist and manager front-office at Albersen Verhuur b.v. / Deuss Music (1993-2020)
- Free lance journalist, music critic on classical music, opera and world music for daily newspapers Trouw (1989-1992). Rotterdams Dagblad (1993-2005), Financiëele Dagblad (2006-2009), Cultureel Persbureau (2009-2015)
- Translating and editing ethnomusicological articles (2014- present)
- Teaching classical guitar, music theory and music history (1985-1996)
Education
- Professional course on Music Publishing Alsbach Foundation/VNM
- Post-academic courses on “The business side of music practice” through the Centre for Art Management, Utrecht
- Rotterdam Conservatory – classical guitar – degree in teaching
- Course Training in Governance
- Secondary school C.S.G. “Overvoorde”, Den Haag – HAVO
Further experience, boards
- Chair stichting Gitaarpodium Rotterdam / De Gitaar Academie (2023 – present)
- Board member of Cultuur Platform Pijnacker-Nootdorp (2017 – present)
- Board member Otto Ketting Foundation (2016- present) for preserving and restoring the legacy of one of the foremost Dutch composers
- Member of the Advisory Board of the Netherlands Student Chamber Orchestra (2009- present)
- Co-designing, developing and implementing computer program AVA (Albersen Verhuur Application): the central music administration system of Albersen Verhuur b.v. (2006-2008)
- Advisory board Rotterdam Art Foundation for the Culture Plan 2005-2008 on Music and Opera (2003-2005)
- Boardmember for the Netherlands Student Chamber Orchestra (1988-1990)
- Boardmember folk club ’t Kontje van Hofwijck, Honselersdijk (1980-1983)
Special skills
Copyright management, performance rights and licensing expert, artist management, mediating, building bridges between people and organisations, budgeting complicated projects.
Lingual skills
English (fluency in writing and speaking), German (fluency in writing and speaking), French (proficient in writing and speaking), Italian, Spanish (proficient in reading ), Hungarian (elementary level)