My name is Jurre Koopmans (2002). I have a beautiful cello and cello bow on loan from the Musical Instrument Fund, which I use to share my passion for music with great pleasure!
Jurre Koopmans (2002) is a passionate cellist. His musicality was recognized in 2024, during his bachelor’s final exam at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, with the highest possible grade (10) and an award for “highly compelling musicianship, authentic playing, and great dedication to the craft.”
Starting at age nine, Jurre studied with Lucia Swarts at the School for Young Talent at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. In 2020, he began his bachelor’s program at that same conservatory with Larissa Groeneveld. Jurre is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in Pieter Wispelwey’s class.
As a versatile cellist, Jurre performs regularly in a wide variety of ensembles. For example, he has appeared multiple times as a soloist in famous cello concertos by Shostakovich, Elgar, and Dvořák, and has performed in well-known venues such as the Main Hall of the Royal Concertgebouw, the Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, and De Doelen.
He has enjoyed success in several competitions; for example, in 2021 he won first prize at the Britten Cello Competition and has received masterclasses from many renowned cellists, including Anastasia Kobekina, Zlatomir Fung, Michel Strauss, Dmitri Ferschtman, Harro Ruijsenaars, and Gary Hoffman.
Jurre has been a member of the Viride Quartet since its founding in 2017. In recent years, the quartet has established itself as a string quartet known for its infectious energy on stage. The quartet has won several awards, including one from the Kersjes Fund. The Viride Quartet is also a welcome guest at major venues and festivals throughout the Netherlands, as well as on national television and radio.
Thanks to the Musical Instrument Fund, Jurre has the opportunity to play a beautiful instrument built by Thomas Meuwissen in Brussels in 2008. His bow, crafted by Emil Werner (formerly owned by Frieda Belinfante), has also been made available to him by the Musical Instrument Fund.
Photo: Marjolein Vinkenoog
