About NEuE

Jacob Kellermann (1984) has established himself as one of the most active Swedish guitarists of his generation. He was born in Stockholm where he began his guitar studies at the age of eight.

Rada Ovcharova, born in Sofia, Bulgaria is active as a chamber musician and recitalist with performances throughout the Netherlands and across Europe. She made numerous recordings for television and radio in both the Netherlands and Bulgaria.

Hanna Shybayeva, born in Minsk, Belarus, began her international career at the age of eleven and is praised for her compelling interpretations and rich musical palette. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout Europe, Russia, the US and Canada. She is a core member of the New European Ensemble since 2008. Hanna is very active in the field of recordings and has brought out over 15 different CD productions which are highly regarded by the press and the public. Being a devoted educator, Hanna is a piano professor at the Conservatory of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).

Felicia van den End, born in the Netherlands, is an acclaimed flutist and prizewinner of numerous competitions including the Princess Christina Competition and Jeunesses Musicales in Bucharest. She has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras and at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw. Felicia studied in Utrecht, Paris, and Geneva with renowned teachers including Abbie de Quant and Jacques Zoon. Since 2009 she is a member of the New European Ensemble and a Sony artist. She is also co-founder of Stichting Sonoro, supporting children in Mexico through music.

Willem Stam, born in Calgary, Canada, is a versatile Canadian-Dutch cellist based in The Hague. Active as soloist, chamber musician, and conductor, he performs a wide range of repertoire and regularly collaborates with contemporary composers. He is founding member of the Ysaÿe Trio and co-founder of the New European Ensemble. Willem studied in Canada and the Netherlands and completed his master’s degree in 2012. He teaches internationally and plays a 1918 Scarampella cello, supported by the Dutch National Instrument Foundation.

Emlyn Stam, violist and founding member of both the Ysaÿe Trio and the New European Ensemble, is active as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral performer across Europe. He was assistant principal violist of the Residentie Orkest for seven years and has appeared with leading orchestras and festivals. Emlyn studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and has performed widely on both modern viola and viola d’amore.

Mihkel Kerem, Estonian violinist and composer, is active as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Brandenburg Sinfonia. Mihkel has performed at major festivals across Europe and composed over 150 works, several of which have been recorded on Toccata Classics.

Astrid Haring, Dutch harpist, graduated summa cum laude from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague in 2009, receiving the prestigious Fock Medal. Known for her multidisciplinary collaborations, she has performed internationally in crossover projects combining harp with dance, voice, and theatre. She is co-founder of a duo with bass trombonist Brandt Attema and regularly appears with leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Asko|Schönberg Ensemble and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

James Meldrum, British clarinettist, is principal clarinet of the New European Ensemble and performs widely as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician across Europe. A graduate of the Royal College of Music London with highest distinctions, he has appeared with leading orchestras including the Philharmonia and English Chamber Orchestra, and collaborated with renowned composers and ensembles. James has performed at major festivals such as the BBC Proms and is a passionate advocate for contemporary music.

Amber Mallee, born in Amsterdam, is a versatile bassoonist performing across Europe with leading orchestras and ensembles. She studied in The Hague, Berlin, Madrid, and Mannheim with renowned teachers including Klaus Thunemann and Ole Kristian Dahl. Amber has appeared at major festivals and worked with orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Tonhalle Zürich, and Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. She joined the New European Ensemble in 2017.

Jose ‘Pepe’ Garcia Rodriguez is a versatile Mexican performer living in the Netherlands that happens to play percussion and some other stuff as well. He specializes in working together with composers, performers, and other artists to create exciting new work. Pepe received his Bachelors and Masters Certificate at Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag. He has also traveled to India to study Mridangam and Carnatic music with B.C. Manjunath. He was awarded with the Ear Massage percussion quartet in the IPCL 2004 (International Percussion Convention Luxembourg) and Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition in 2009.

Ryanne Hofman, Dutch bass clarinettist born in Delft, is active as a chamber and orchestral musician with a focus on contemporary music. She studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and is currently pursuing a double Master’s degree in Amsterdam. Ryanne has performed with ensembles such as ASKO|Schönberg and The Hague Philharmonic, and participated in masterclasses with renowned clarinettists including Martin Fröst.

Christopher Bouwman, Dutch oboist, was appointed solo oboist of the Orquesta de la Comunitat Valenciana by Lorin Maazel in 2006 and has since performed with renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Chailly. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Bruckner Orchester Linz and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. A prizewinner of several international competitions, Christopher studied in The Hague and Geneva, and is a founding member of Ensemble Schulhoff.

Ryan Linham, British trumpeter, is an accomplished soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. A graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, he has performed with ensembles such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, English National Opera, and London Sinfonietta. He joined the New European Ensemble and has appeared at major venues including the BBC Proms and Concertgebouw under conductors like Sir Mark Elder and Lorin Maazel. Ryan is also active in jazz and musical theatre, and is a qualified tap dancer.

Małgorzata Walentynowicz, Polish pianist, specializes in contemporary music as a soloist and chamber musician. She studied in Gdańsk, Hannover, and Stuttgart, earning honors for her interpretation of new music. A prizewinner of the Gaudeamus and Yvar Mikhashoff competitions, she has performed at major festivals across Europe and beyond. Małgorzata frequently collaborates on multimedia and performance art projects and has recorded for labels including Wergo and Genuin Classics.

Porter Ellerman, American percussionist and composer based in The Hague, focuses on contemporary music and environmental storytelling. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and the University of Arizona, he combines performance with activism through solo work and his ensemble Ear to the Earth. Porter collaborates across disciplines including theater and visual arts, and performs with groups such as Asko|Schönberg, Slagwerk Den Haag, and the New European Ensemble.

Ryoko Imai, Japanese percussionist based in Lisbon, is known for her versatility, precision, and expressive artistry. She studied in Tokyo and at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, graduating cum laude. A prizewinner at the Pendim International Percussion Competition, she has performed with ensembles such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Slagwerk Den Haag, and the New European Ensemble. Ryoko appears internationally across genres and released her solo marimba album Reflections on the Nature of Water in 2022.

Marisa Monsanto is a process manager, board member, and moderator with a background in law and art history. She has worked for government ministries and cultural institutions, including Museum Arnhem. As chair of Theater voor Keti Koti, she promotes inclusion and awareness through art and dialogue. She is active in various advisory boards within the cultural sector.

Kitty Zijlmans is Professor Emerita of Contemporary Art History and Theory / World Art Studies at Leiden University (2000–2021). She earned her PhD in 1989 and specializes in contemporary art, intercultural exchange, globalization, and gender in art . Known for projects like Global Imaginations (2015) and her publications, she advocates for a global perspective in art history. She’s been a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2010. (Photo credit: Eelkje Colmjon 2020)

Harald Tepper is Senior Director Sustainability at Philips. He leads the Programs on Circular Economy and EcoDesign, aiming at sustainable business models and lowering the environmental footprint of Philips and the healthcare sector. Prior to Philips, he headed the DNA Investigation Department at the Dutch Forensic Institute and worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. Harald holds a PhD in molecular physics and studied clarinet at the Conservatory in Enschede. Harald was board member of Silbersee and was part of the advisory committee on sustainability of the Dutch Culture Council.

Wil Jacobs has been a member of the Kifid Disputes Committee since May 15, 2025, where he contributes actuarial expertise to complaints concerning life insurance and pensions . Since 2015, he has operated as an independent consultant in financial and actuarial matters, following extensive experience working with various insurance companies.

Marisa Monsanto is a process manager, board member, and moderator with a background in law and art history. She has worked for government ministries and cultural institutions, including Museum Arnhem. As chair of Theater voor Keti Koti, she promotes inclusion and awareness through art and dialogue. She is active in various advisory boards within the cultural sector.

Harald Tepper (born October 28, 1972, in Hattem, Netherlands) is Senior Director Sustainability and Program Lead for Circular Economy at Philips. He leads the company’s efforts on circular business models, ecodesign, and sustainability . Prior to Philips, he headed the DNA Investigation Department at the Dutch Forensic Institute and worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Wil Jacobs has been a member of the Kifid Disputes Committee since May 15, 2025, where he contributes actuarial expertise to complaints concerning life insurance and pensions . Since 2015, he has operated as an independent consultant in financial and actuarial matters, following extensive experience working with various insurance companies.

Kitty Zijlmans is Professor Emerita of Contemporary Art History and Theory / World Art Studies at Leiden University (2000–2021). She earned her PhD in 1989 and specializes in contemporary art, intercultural exchange, globalization, and gender in art . Known for projects like Global Imaginations (2015) and her publications, she advocates for a global perspective in art history. She’s been a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2010.