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Daphne Wassink new Director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

  • 17 augustus 2026
HKU welcomes Daphne Wassink as Director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium as of 1 October.
Daphne Wassink new Director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium
HKU offers art education and art research that have an impact on people and society. HKU Utrechts Conservatorium trains musically talented students to become professionals who shape their careers in the music sector with a high degree of independence, flexibility and self-awareness. Within HKU, the ‘conservatorium’ is also an ‘innovatorium’. To further develop this vision, the Executive Board has appointed Daphne Wassink as Academy Director as of 1 October. HKU welcomes Daphne Wassink as a strategic and people-focused leader with a clear vision for higher music education.
Daphne Wassink has extensive experience as a manager in education, the public sector and the cultural sector. She is currently Director of Education and Quality at Deltion College Zwolle. Previously, she was Head of Policy at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and worked for organisations including the Council for Culture. She was Vice-Chair of the European Choral Association (ECA) and Chair of Koornetwerk Nederland (the Dutch choral network), for which she received the 'Zilveren Anjer’ award from the Prince Bernhard Cultural Fund in recognition of her commitment.

Simon van Damme, member of the HKU Executive Board, is delighted that Daphne Wassink is joining HKU: “Daphne is a passionate and ambitious leader who is committed to innovation and to strengthening the position of the Conservatorium and of HKU. With her wide-ranging experience in education, government and the cultural sector, she brings the leadership qualities, knowledge and network we are looking for in the role of new director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium. We wish her every success in her new role and look forward to working with Daphne.”

Daphne Wassink: “For me, conservatorium education is an inspiring environment where students can develop as musicians, professionals and as human beings. With its artistic expertise, unique curiosity and rich context, HKU Utrechts Conservatorium has everything it needs to continue developing as an ‘innovatorium’. I am very much looking forward to contributing to this, together with the students, teachers and the management team.”

With the arrival of Daphne Wassink, HKU is committed to creating a conservatorium that is rooted in artistic craftsmanship while also being agile and making a unifying impact on people and society.

Daphne Wassink is succeeding Jos Schillings, who is leaving the academy after serving as director for 25 years. Daphne Wassink’s appointment is the result of a thorough recruitment process. The selection panel comprised a broad cross-section of HKU: members of the Executive Board, the academy director, the director of staff, a student representative, staff members and representatives from the professional sector.

About HKU Utrechts Conservatorium
HKU is a diverse, inclusive community of creators, thinkers and teachers who work together to deliver future-oriented arts education. HKU Utrechts Conservatorium is celebrating its 150th anniversary and is one of the nine academies within HKU. HKU Utrechts Conservatorium offers the Bachelor of Music (Jazz/Pop, Classical/Historical and Musician 3.0), Bachelor of Music in Education and Master of Music programmes. Students are trained to become professional musicians and music teachers.