The Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) is the largest and most diverse music conservatory in the Netherlands. Part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), it trains students in classical music, jazz, pop, early music, opera, electronic music, and music education. The conservatory accepts a highly international student body and offers study programs through both bachelor's and master's degrees.
Here is a performance by alumna Caro Emerald, whose debut album spent 30 weeks at number one on the Dutch chart:
Notable Alumni
CvA graduates have built careers across jazz, pop, classical, and rock:
- Caro Emerald (Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw) - Dutch pop and jazz singer. Her debut album Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor (2010) spent 30 weeks at number one on the Dutch albums chart, breaking the previous record set by Michael Jackson's Thriller by one week. The single "A Night Like This" reached number 1 in the Netherlands, Austria, and multiple European markets. Her follow-up single "Back It Up" also charted internationally. Here is the official video for "Back It Up" from her YouTube channel, with over 24 million views:
- Tineke Postma - Internationally touring saxophonist and composer. Alumna of both the CvA and the Manhattan School of Music. Winner of the Boy Edgar Prize (2015), the French Academie du Jazz's European Musician of the Year (2020), and two Dutch Edison Awards (2011, 2024). Named "Rising Star Soprano Saxophone" in the 2019 DownBeat Critics Poll. She has performed with Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter, and Terri Lyne Carrington, and appeared at the UN International Jazz Day (2012, 2018) and the Kennedy Center Honors (2018). She has released nine albums as a leader, including Voya (2025) on Clap Your Hands records. Here she performs "Still Another Day" with her Aria Group featuring guitarist Ben Monder, from her official YouTube channel:
- Pablo van de Poel - Singer and guitarist of DeWolff, a psychedelic blues-rock trio from the Netherlands. DeWolff has played major festivals including Pinkpop, Lowlands, and multiple sold-out nights at Paradiso in Amsterdam. The band has released over 10 albums and toured extensively across Europe. Pablo was featured in the documentary Lost in Music, made for the CvA's 125th anniversary. Here is the official video for "In Love" from DeWolff's YouTube channel, taken from their 2024 album Muscle Shoals:
- Ben van Gelder - Jazz saxophonist who earned his bachelor's (2010) and master's (2012) diplomas at the CvA. Winner of the Deloitte Jazz Award, considered the most prestigious jazz award in the Netherlands. He was a semifinalist for the Thelonious Monk Competition and has recorded with Ambrose Akinmusire, Mark Turner, Aaron Parks, and Nasheet Waits. His compositions have been arranged for the Metropole Orchestra and the Swiss Jazz Orchestra.
- Henk Neven - Baritone specializing in Lied and opera. Studied classical voice and opera at the CvA. Winner of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and the Dutch Music Prize, and a participant in the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme. He appears on major stages worldwide.
Programs and Curriculum
The CvA offers degree programs across eight principal areas of study:
- Classical Music: performance, chamber music, and orchestral training across all orchestral instruments and piano
- Jazz: performance, composition, and arranging with a focus on improvisation and contemporary jazz styles
- Pop Music: performance, songwriting, and production for contemporary popular music
- Early Music: historical performance practice on period instruments, with an active summer school program
- Opera: vocal training, stagecraft, and repertoire study
- Electronic Music: the AEMA (Amsterdam Electronic Music Academy) program for electronic composition and performance
- Music in Education: teacher training for primary and secondary music education
- Young Talents: pre-college programs for gifted young musicians
The conservatory also offers continuing education courses, including the Early Music Summer School (tuition approximately 320 euros for active participants, 160 euros for passive participants).
Campus and Facilities
The CvA is located on the Marineterrein campus in central Amsterdam, shared with other faculties of the Amsterdam University of the Arts. Facilities include performance halls, recording studios, practice rooms, and a music library. The building sits in a cultural district near the city center, giving students access to Amsterdam's concert venues, jazz clubs, and recording industry.
The conservatory maintains connections with professional ensembles and venues throughout the Netherlands, providing students with performance opportunities outside the campus.
Admissions and Tuition
Application requires three steps: online application, a practical entrance exam, and a theoretical exam depending on the program. The application portal is available on the official website.
For Fall 2026, the semester runs from August 17 to December 19. The full academic year 2026-2027 runs from August 17 to May 29. Spring 2027 begins January 4.
EU students pay the statutory tuition fee set by the Dutch government (approximately 2,530 euros per year for 2025-26). Non-EU students pay higher institutional fees. Study financing is available for eligible EU students through the Dutch government. An IES Abroad study abroad program offers direct enrollment for international students at an estimated cost of approximately $25,449 per semester.
Notable Faculty and Industry Connections
The CvA's jazz department is one of the strongest in Europe, with faculty who perform at major festivals including North Sea Jazz and Umbria Jazz. The classical faculty includes members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and other Dutch professional ensembles.
The conservatory's location in Amsterdam connects students to a dense network of recording studios, live venues, and music technology companies. Many graduates move directly into professional performance, teaching, or production careers in the Netherlands and abroad.
Why It Matters for Aspiring Musicians
The CvA stands out for its breadth. Few conservatories offer strong programs in both classical and jazz alongside pop, electronic music, and early music. If you want to cross genres or are unsure which direction to specialize in, the CvA gives you room to explore.
Amsterdam is an expensive city. Budget for housing and living costs, which can exceed 1,000 euros per month. EU students benefit from low statutory tuition, but non-EU students should compare institutional fees carefully against other European conservatories.
Students seeking financial aid should browse our music scholarships directory. You can compare the CvA with other institutions in our music schools directory, or use our streaming royalty calculator to project future earnings from your recorded work. If you are interested in performing rights, our PRO directory covers Dutch collection society BUMA/Stemra and other organizations worldwide.
Similar Schools
- Royal Conservatoire of The Hague - The other major Dutch conservatory, strong in early music and classical performance
- Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP) - France's flagship conservatory, comparable in scope and international reach
- Royal Academy of Music - A leading European conservatory with similar breadth across classical and jazz
- Sibelius Academy - Another European conservatory with strong jazz and classical programs
- Royal Northern College of Music - A UK conservatory with comparable jazz and classical offerings
