Pippa Drijver
cello, cello bow
My name is Pippa Drijver (2003) and I am studying at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Larissa Groeneveld.
I started playing the cello when I was 9 years old through the Leerorkest in Amsterdam Zuidoost. After deciding in high school that I wanted to study cello, I took a gap year to prepare for the auditions. I’m therefore eager to continue my musical studies after completing my bachelor’s degree.
In addition to my studies, I play in the Con Moto Trio, alongside Kira Dove (violin) and Lara Saç (piano). We’ve been a permanent ensemble at the conservatory since 2022 and have already given several concerts outside of school. Recently, through the Davidsbündler Academy, we took masterclasses with the Storioni Trio and received lessons from various members of the Casals Quartet. In the future, we’d like to continue investing in our trio by participating in competitions and attending more international masterclasses.
From March 2025 to March 2026, I served as principal cellist of the cello section in the VU Orchestra in Amsterdam. This role was incredibly educational for me; my debut at the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ last summer was a special experience. In addition, I also perform regularly as a soloist. For example, in December 2024, I performed as a soloist with the Westerkamer Orchestra in Amsterdam in Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C, which I later recorded with a cello quintet as accompaniment.
I take regular lessons with Mikael Hakhnazaryan and weekly lessons in audition preparation with Roger Regter. In addition, I have taken masterclasses with, among others, Dmitri Ferschtman, Johan van Iersel, Godfried Hoogeveen, Zlatomir Fung, Harro Ruijsenaars, Bengt Widlund, Marc Danel, Ditta Rohmann, and Vadim Tsibulevsky. Their insights have further strengthened my ambition to pursue a professional career in music.
It is with pride and gratitude that I mention I play a cello and bow provided by Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds. I learn so much from the instrument every day and have the opportunity to continue developing my skills with the help of this instrument and a carefully selected, perfectly matched bow!
