Wiard Brandsma (born March 1, 2003) began playing piano when he started at the VWO, and quickly developed a deep curiosity for the freedom and possibilities of music. His musical journey started with classical repertoire, but he soon discovered the joy of improvisation through jazz, funk, and other styles.

 

Over the years, he has played in a variety of bands, contributed to worship music in churches, and led several ensembles. Central to his playing is a focus on groove, interplay, and dynamics—elements he considers essential for a meaningful musical experience.

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One of Wiard’s true passions is musical interaction. He especially enjoys playing in duos, where he finds his voice through communication without words, striving to “read each other’s minds” on stage. For him, rhythm, dynamics, and interplay form the core of music-making. Alongside performing and composing his own work,

Wiard is passionate about teaching.

 

At Muziekles Harderwijk, he helps students explore the world of piano, guiding them toward their personal musical goals.

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Wiard draws inspiration from a wide range of artists, with Cory Wong, Michel Petrucciani, and Organ Freeman among his favorites. In 2022, he enrolled in the preparatory course at the HKU Utrecht Conservatory Jazz & Pop, and in 2023 he began his studies in Jazz Piano at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Arnhem. He has studied with Gussane van der Brink, Jozua Dieleman, Gé Bijvoet, and is currently studying under Jeroen van Vliet and Henrique Gomide.