Nicolaas according to his friends
- Creative
- Enthusiastic
- Committed
- Indispensable at any party
Nicolaas according to his family
- Dreamer
- Musical
- Always ready to help
- Slightly neurotic
Nicolaas according to his children
- The best dad
(…except when something needs to happen quickly) - Very funny
(…except when something needs to happen quickly) - Snorer
Nicolaas according to his ex-wife
- … no comment…
Nicolaas according to his dentist
- Good brusher, I must say!
Nicolaas according to his angry neighbor
- I HATE THAT PIANO PLAYING OF HIS!!!!
Biography Nicolaas
Second nature
Music and the stage are my second nature. As a freelance musician, I stood before full houses for years. But when corona struck, I suddenly had an empty schedule.
Freelance musician
In my previous life as a freelance musician, I played on stages all over the world for over 25 years. From the ‘Alpha’ at Lowlands to a village square in Guatemala. From theaters in Buenos Aires to the beach of Curaçao. Wherever I went, I saw the positive influence of music on people.
Music Technology HKU
Before that, I attended VWO (pre-university education) at the Montessori Lyceum in Rotterdam. After that, I studied at the Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU), majoring in Music Technology. I graduated in applied composition and production.
Studio & stage
During my studies, I was already frequently found in the studio and on stage. I worked then, and in the years that followed, with Danny de Munk, Henk Poort, Ot Azoj Klezmerband, Loes Luca, Bob Fosko, Willeke Alberti, Angela Groothuizen, Yentl & De Boer, Vuile Huichelaar, De Smartlappenkaraoke, Madelijne Kool, Monique Klemann, Wieneke Remmers, Brownie Dutch, Lucas Hamming, Thijs Boontjes, Guus Meeuwis, Veldhuis & Kemper, and many others.
Why music?
Music is about perseverance, focus, passion, dedication, achieving goals, collaboration, culture, identity, history, mathematics, physics, and so on. But more importantly: music touches everyone. It connects, sets people in motion, and offers powerful insights for communication and collaboration.
Globe CKC
I also built up a teaching practice for light music piano at Globe CKC in the MCO in Hilversum, where I have also been a board member since 2020.
Corona as a turning point
My life as a freelance musician with performances all over the world suited me perfectly. But then came Corona. From one day to the next, the full houses turned into an empty schedule. That became a turning point. Instead of crawling under a blanket in silence, I decided to embark on a new path. I translated the experiences I had gained in music over the years into the business world. First online, later in real halls. My mission: to let the business world look at themes such as collaboration and leadership from a different perspective, especially in times of change. Music is the perfect metaphor.
Harmony
As a musical speaker on communication, collaboration, and leadership, I give keynotes on harmony in teams and how to achieve it. What do you learn from listening, tuning in, improvising, trusting, and opening yourself up? I let it be heard live from behind my piano. With a lot of energy, humor, and self-deprecation.
Musical Speaker
Because music offers so many insights that are also relevant outside the concert hall, I now call myself ‘Musical Speaker’. I followed training courses at the Nederlands Debat Insituut (Dutch Debate Institute) and did the intensive Talk Like A Pro(gramme) program from the Speakers Club. There I obtained the ‘Professional Speaker’ certificate. Since 2020 I have been a professional speaker on communication, collaboration, and leadership, and since July 2024 it has been my full-time job.
Musical moderator
I am increasingly being asked to be a ‘Musical moderator’. But don’t expect a standard moderation. I play live piano and announce speakers with music specially chosen for them. In interviews, I let music come back as a metaphor. This gives the event a unique ‘own sound’.
Team sessions
In addition to my work as a musical speaker and moderator, I also provide interactive team sessions. In these sessions, I literally let teams make sounds together, so that collaboration, communication, and trust become tangible.
Chosen by
How lucky that appealing clients were quick to find me! And that they were so positive that they remembered and passed on my name. That’s the best advertising!
Listen, watch, read
Sound & Thought
Music is a language. A language that touches you, even without knowing the words or rules. A language that sets things in motion and connects people, just like collaboration and leadership do. That’s why, as a musical speaker on collaboration & leadership, I use this most beautiful language there is.
Be inspired by my blogs, podcasts and videos, full of musical insights for teams and leaders.
