From 13 to 16 October 2025, the Jazz Department of Conservatorium Maastricht hosted the very first Dutch edition of Jazz Camp for Girls: a four-day music camp for girls aged 12 to 16, focused on improvisation, creativity, and performance experience. The energy, curiosity, and growth of the participants made this premiere a resounding success. We spoke with Marloes De Nul, one of the two programme leaders, about this special project.
How did the idea of Jazz Camp for Girls at Conservatorium Maastricht come about? What is the aim of the week?
“Jazz Camp for Girls is inspired by a Danish initiative that has been running successfully for over ten years,” Marloes explains. “The camp aims to break down stereotypical images in the jazz world and create more space for young female musicians. The significant underrepresentation of women in the jazz scene has been a well-known issue for years. While the causes are being explored, Jazz Camp for Girls seeks to provide part of the solution: a safe and stimulating environment in which girls and gender-expansive youth can discover jazz and develop their own voice.”
The concept of Jazz Camp for Girls has expanded in recent years to several countries, including Poland, England, Finland, Turkey, and, since 2024, Belgium. “Irja Zeper, Head of the Jazz Department at Conservatorium Maastricht, was very keen to bring this initiative to Maastricht,” Marloes continues. “She asked Sam Teeuwen and me to organise it, which we were delighted to do. With this first edition, we are taking an important step towards greater diversity, visibility, and balance within the jazz community.”
Which partners helped make this project possible?
“This project was made possible through close collaboration with Conservatorium Maastricht, which not only provided the venue but also offered substantive and financial support,” Marloes says. “Their involvement allowed us to create an inspiring and professional learning environment for the participants. In addition, Jazz Camp for Girls NL was supported by the Jan Smeets Fonds, Buma Cultuur, JazzDanmark and Stichting Kanunnik Salden/Nieuwenhof. Thanks to these partners, we were able to deliver a successful event and establish a solid foundation for future editions. We sincerely thank all our partners and everyone who shared our project, without their support, this would never have been possible!”
What took place during the week?
“During the week, participants attended various workshops in which they learned to improvise, play together, and compose,” Marloes explains. “They were guided by coaches Louise van den Heuvel, Julia Warren, Sam Teeuwen, and myself. They also visited the exhibition by Mounira al Solh at the Bonnefanten Museum, and inspired by her artworks, created their own compositions. Furthermore, the students experimented with loop stations, which even produced a jingle for Jazz Camp for Girls!”
“The week culminated in a fantastic final concert, where participants performed pieces such as Casual Tenements (Julia Warren), Blue Nile (Alice Coltrane), Love Anthem (Ibrahim Maalouf), and their own creations developed during the camp.”
What was it like to organise the week as programme leader? What did you learn?
“It was incredibly special to lead this project together with Sam Teeuwen and Irja Zeper,” says Marloes. “For Sam and me, it was the first time we had organised a camp of this scale. It was a wonderful challenge to bring all the elements together, from grant applications, budgeting, and scheduling to programming, communication, and recruiting participants. I learned a huge amount, not only in organisational terms but also through conversations with our partners and coaches, who all shared valuable insights. And of course, I learned a lot from the participants themselves: their openness, curiosity, and growth throughout the week were the clearest confirmation of why this project is so important.”
How did participants and the audience respond to the final concert?
“The responses from participants were very positive,” Marloes says enthusiastically. “For some, it was their very first encounter with jazz, which was initially nerve-wracking, especially when we started improvising. But eventually, every participant performed a solo, which was wonderful to witness. The final concert was a great success: parents, visitors, and coaches were enthusiastic and impressed by what the girls achieved in such a short time. Many participants have already said they would like to take part again next year. For us, that is the best confirmation that the camp truly made an impact.”
What does the future hold for Jazz Camp for Girls Maastricht?
“Following the success of the first edition, we are very pleased to announce that Jazz Camp for Girls Maastricht will return in 2026!” says Marloes. “The next edition will take place from 19 to 22 October 2026. We hope to further grow the project, reach even more young musicians, and establish new collaborations. More information about registrations and the programme will be shared next year via our social media channels and, hopefully by then, on our own website. I am very much looking forward to contributing again and, together with the team, inspiring the next generation of young jazz musicians.”
We would like to warmly thank Marloes De Nul for her candid and inspiring contribution to this interview. Her insights and experiences provide a clear picture of the origin, impact, and future of Jazz Camp for Girls at Conservatorium Maastricht, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this for the next generation of jazz musicians.
Jazz Camp for Girls Maastricht in the news:
- L1 Nieuws - Too few women in jazz
- De Limburger - Jazz Camp for Girls
- L1 Nieuws - Cultuurcafé TV: Jazz Camp for Girls
- L1 Nieuws - Encouraging girls to make jazz
