Niels de Klerk
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Niels de Klerk (1997) is cantor-organist of the Beekes organ (1831) at the Oude Kerk in Naaldwijk. He is pursuing a career across multiple disciplines. In 2022, he completed his Master of Music, graduating with a performance of Duruflé’s Requiem at St Catherine’s Church in Eindhoven. In 2020, he completed a Master’s degree in Economics at Tilburg University.
Niels previously served as an organist in, among other places, Sleeuwijk and Lexmond. He regularly performs as a soloist, but is particularly active as an ensemble musician. He frequently performs basso continuo, has accompanied numerous major choral works, and forms a permanent duo with saxophonist Bruno Alonso. He has won prizes at several competitions, including the Terenzio Zardini Prize in 2025 and joint third prize at the Terenzio Zardini International Organ Competition in Verona.
He studied organ as his principal subject during his bachelor’s degree with Ruud Huijbregts. During his Master of Music, in addition to continuing his studies with Ruud Huijbregts, he took lessons with many renowned organists in the Netherlands and abroad, including Hayo Boerema, Leo van Doeselaar, Jan Hage, Arjen Leistra, Bart Rodyns, and Peter Van de Velde. His subsidiary studies included piano, harpsichord, and choral conducting.
Alongside his studies in organ and economics in Tilburg, he studied church music at Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam. In addition to his musical activities, he works four days a week as a Partner Manager at SBR Nexus. Ultimately, these two disciplines come together in his work: storytelling is at the heart of both. Whether that story is told through music or through economics makes no difference. In the long term, he hopes to apply the insights and experience he gains from the business world even more extensively within the cultural sector.
