‘Be open to as many opportunities as you can'.

Since graduating from our bachelor Composition & Music Production in 2019, Hidde Kramer – Composer, Creative Technologist, Audio Software Developer – has carved out a multifaceted career that blends composition, interactive technology, and audio software development. But if there’s one message he wants to pass on to current students, it’s this: start building your own opportunities now.

During his studies, Hidde focused on film composition, but by his final year, he realized he wanted to explore more. “I also started working on my own compositions and decided I would still go down this road, but also go broader.” That decision led him to pursue a more expansive approach to composition and technology, in his master's, including Sonology courses that reignited his interest in programming. 

Today, Hidde works across disciplines: composing for film, developing interactive installations, and freelancing as an audio software developer. “This unexpected avenue really brought me far and gives me the right amount of stability I need to work on my own projects.”

Start While You’re Still Studying

Hidde stresses the importance of using your time at the conservatoire to build a portfolio and develop your artistic voice. “Especially if you want to do autonomous projects, it's important to start making what you want to make early on. To not just do the work you are given in assignments, but to figure out what you want to make, what fits with you. How can you plot the course of your artistic research so you can find something really personal?” 

He encourages students to be proactive in arranging opportunities during and after your studies: “Nothing comes to you on its own. If you just sit and wait for things to come to you, nothing will happen. Apply for open calls, meet people, start-up projects, try to get funding. That’s the productive mindset—to actively go out there to arrange performances, opportunities, etc. It really helps if you already have a solid portfolio that you make valid during your study times—when you don’t have to worry about money and the amount of time you have next to your job. You can focus on making and building stuff and developing yourself.”

Dependability Is Everything

While many young artists are eager to say yes to everything, Hidde offers a crucial reminder: how you show up matters. “A lot of starters confuse free work with being free in your responsibilities. I think that as soon as you say yes to a project, you should act like you're getting paid €100,000 for it. Be dependable. If you say yes, make sure you are all in.”

He explains that dependability can open doors later on. “Even if it is an unpaid project, the next time maybe it is a paid project, and this person will be like: ‘Oh, they were working for free, but they were well prepared, present at all the rehearsals, involved and interactive. Now I'd like to work with them again and have the money to actually pay them.’”

Choosing the Right Projects

One of the most valuable lessons Hidde learned came from a teacher who introduced him to a simple framework for evaluating opportunities: the triangle of money, interest, and opportunity. 

“Each project that you consider can be put somewhere in this triangle. It either pays a lot, or there is a lot of opportunity or exposure, or it's very interesting and something you want to explore. You need two of these points. If it doesn’t tick any of the points, you can say: ‘Sorry, it’s not my project.’”

Looking Ahead

Hidde is currently working on a new interactive audio installation, applying for residencies, developing software products, and planning a new film project. His approach is clear: build relationships, stay curious, and keep creating. 

Hidde describes his ideal way of working as building long-term collaborations with specific people and growing alongside them creatively. One such collaboration is with director Julian Verkerk. Their first project together was a self-produced, low-budget film created during their studies, where they made use of the available facilities to craft a compelling score. Since then, their work together has evolved, culminating in a professionally funded film production. As Verkerk’s projects have grown in scale, Hidde has continued to contribute increasingly ambitious and rewarding scores, showing the value of developing creative partnerships from the ground up. 

“Be open to as many opportunities as you can. Say yes to stuff—unless you really know what you want and will fully focus on that. But for most people, I’d say: don’t pin yourself too much on one direction.”