Conservatorium van Amsterdam
The largest music institution in the Netherlands, located at the very heart of Amsterdam’s vibrant cultural scene. From classical to jazz, from early music to pop, tradition and innovation intertwine—bringing together musical souls from around the world to create a uniquely diverse sonic landscape.
Meet the Musicians
Puck van der Hoeven
Born in 1998 in Wormerveer, the Netherlands, Puck van der Hoeven is a Dutch classical saxophonist. She studied at several renowned conservatories in the Netherlands, including the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she trained under Arno Bornkamp, Johan van der Linden, and Willem van Merwijk — all founding members of the legendary Aurelia Saxophone Quartet.
Puck has also refined her artistry through masterclasses with internationally acclaimed saxophonists such as Nicolas Arsenijevic, Ryo Noda, and Asya Fatayeva, continuously expanding her musical horizons.
During her studies, Puck founded the Lunette Saxophone Quartet, an energetic and creative ensemble that has performed across Western Europe and gained recognition through radio broadcasts and recording projects.
Known for her sensitive musical expression and compelling storytelling, Puck captivates audiences both as a soloist and ensemble player, drawing listeners into the heart of her musical narratives with sincerity and emotional depth.
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Nonthapat Chaiviratnukul
Nonthapat Chaiviratnukul, born in Bangkok in 2002, began his musical journey at age 15. He studied at the Music Campus for General Public, College of Music, Mahidol University, under Ms. Pulaporn Sreewichain, followed by the Pre-College program in Classical Saxophone, where he studied with Prof. Shyen Lee and Mr. Wisuwat Pruksavanich. Later, he also received guidance from Mr. Promwut Sudtakoo at Marcel Saxophone Studio Bangkok.
Nonthapat has performed at numerous international festivals, including the World Saxophone Congress 2018 (Croatia), Osaka Music Competition (Japan), Hong Kong Saxophone Symposium, Asia Saxophone Congress (China), Liceu Saxophone Festival (Spain), and Amsterdam Saxophone Festival. He has worked with renowned saxophonists such as Nobuya Sugawa, Kenneth Tse, Arno Bornkamp, Claude Delangle, and Philippe Geiss.
His accolades include 1st prize at the Settrade Music Competition (2019) and 1st prize in Chamber Music at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Music Competition with the Rêver Saxophone Quartet.
Since 2020, Nonthapat has been studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 2024. He has performed at prestigious venues such as Het Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw, and Vondelkerk. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s degree with a Karnatic music profile, studying with Arno Bornkamp and Willem van Merwijk.
Hy-Huu Dang
Hy-Huu Dang, born in 1997, is a talented classical saxophonist and dedicated educator from Luxembourg. He studied at the Conservatory of Amsterdam under Arno Bornkamp and Willem van Merwijk, and further expanded his musical knowledge through the Erasmus+ program in 2022 at the Akademija za glasbo v Ljubljana, studying in the class of Matjaž Drevenšek.
Hy-Huu Dang has earned numerous accolades, including the first prize at the Concours Jeunes Solistes de Luxembourg (2018), and special prize at the Lions European Music Competition (2021). In 2023, he was selected to compete at the eliminatory round of the prestigious 8e Concours International Adolphe Sax in Dinant.
He is an ambassador of JLV Sound and serves as the conductor of the "Mierscher Saxophon Ensembel."
Currently, Hy-Huu Dang teaches at the Regional Museksschoul Mondorf-les-Bains, École de Musique de l'UGDA, and the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, sharing his passion and expertise with the next generation of musicians. He is also a current member of the Luxembourg Saxophone Association, where he actively contributes to organising saxophonistic events and fostering a vibrant saxophone community in Luxembourg.
Tom Lowe
Tom Lowe, a 20-year-old Australian saxophonist, is currently based in Amsterdam, where he studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the guidance of Arno Bornkamp and Willem van Merwijk.
Tom began playing the saxophone at the age of nine, and his musical talent quickly became evident through his success in various competitions and performances. He was a finalist in the Preston Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, making his concerto debut performing Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto. His accolades also include Second Prize at the VCASS Outstanding Soloist Competition, First Prize in the Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Award (Woodwind Category), and being named 2023 3MBS Victorian Young Performer of the Year, representing Victoria at the 2023 Fine Music Young Virtuoso Award.
Tom has performed at prestigious venues including Melbourne Recital Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Hamer Hall, sharing the stage with ensembles such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, CvA Saxophone Ensemble, and Art Pondo Saxophone Ensemble.
Before moving to the Netherlands, Tom studied with Niels Bijl (Netherlands), as well as Yo-yo Su, Joseph Lallo, and Justin Kenealy (Australia), establishing a solid foundation in both classical and contemporary saxophone performance. Now, as a student in Amsterdam, he continues to refine his artistry and actively performs across Europe, expanding his musical horizons on the international stage.
Jen-Hong Wu
Born in Yilan, grew up in Taipei, started learning saxophone at the age of nine. In 2018, he was admitted to Taipei University of the Arts, and the following year he entered the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Arno Bornkamp and Willem van Merwijk, and is currently pursuing a master's degree.
In domestic and overseas competitions, he has won first prize in the "New Art Star Show" solo competition, first prize in the National Student Music Competition, and won excellent results in the Chiayi City International Wind Band Festival and the Asian Saxophone Competition and the Asia-Pacific Saxophone Competition. In addition, he and the Dokwerk Saxophone Quartet won the "Vitor Santos" International Saxophone Competition and the Reate Contemporary Music Competition in Italy, and won the first prize and audience award in the Kamermuziek Concours Gelre Chamber Music Competition in the Netherlands. He also won the Yamaha Music Europe Foundation Scholarship and advanced to the top ten in the Josip Nochta International Saxophone Competition.
In addition to his outstanding performances, Jen Hong also actively participates in performances and recordings. In 2023, he recorded the album "Intersection" with the Dokwerk Quartet. Looking forward to 2026, he will embark on a tour of the Netherlands with the quartet as a finalist of the Dutch Classical Talent 2025-2026 competition, holding 14 concerts in important concert halls including Amsterdam Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Rotterdam De Doelen, Utrecht TivoliVredenburg, etc.
Chi-Chun Chen
Chi-Chun Chen is a Taiwanese saxophonist, conductor, and arranger, currently pursuing a degree in Orchestral Conducting at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying under Ed Spanjaard, Antony Hermus, Bas Wiegers, and Karel Deseure. Prior to his conducting studies, he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Classical Saxophone at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, graduating Cum Laude. During his saxophone training with Arno Bornkamp, Chi-Chun inherited the essence of the renowned Dutch Saxophone School, establishing a solid artistic foundation that has led to multiple international awards.
Chi-Chun’s achievements include First Prize at the Asia Saxophone Competition, Third Prize at the Chieri International Music Competition, and the Best Emerging Young Performer Award at the 5th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition. As a conductor and artistic leader, he has led ensembles such as the CvA Sax Ensemble and Art Pondo Saxophone Ensemble, bringing their performances to prominent stages across Europe and Asia. He also refined his conducting skills through masterclasses with Lior Shambadal and other renowned maestros.
Beyond performance and conducting, Chi-Chun is actively involved in cross-disciplinary productions and arrangement projects, blending saxophone ensemble music with theatre, visual arts, and contemporary cultural narratives. His notable arrangements include Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde and Philip Glass’s Mishima.
As Music Director of Art Pondo Saxophone Ensemble, Chi-Chun is dedicated to promoting the diverse artistic possibilities of saxophone chamber music, while also exploring the instrument’s role in social dialogue and cultural storytelling. In 2025, he will lead Art Pondo at the World Saxophone Congress, presenting “Another Sky”, an original interdisciplinary work that blends music, text, and visual art, offering international audiences a fresh perspective on Taiwan’s creative voice.
Cherilynne Wang
Cherilynne Wang is a recorder performer from Taiwan, currently studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under Jorge Isaac and Hester Groenleer. She specializes in historical performance practice and contemporary music. Her musical journey began in childhood under the guidance of Liu Cui-Hua, later developing a strong foundation with Zhang Shan-Qing, and ultimately passing the entrance examination for the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the mentorship of Liang Yi-Zhang, marking the beginning of a deeper exploration into recorder performance.
Beyond historical and contemporary music, improvisation is another area of passion for Cherilynne. She has participated in Orchestre Partout’s improvisation workshops and performed alongside various improvisers at the renowned Bimhuis Concert Hall. Her exceptional talent has been recognized through multiple participations in the China-Japan Recorder Competition, where she won two gold medals, earning her the honor of representing Taiwan in the All-Japan Recorder Competition.
Alongside her pursuit of musical excellence, Cherilynne also holds a degree in Advertising and Branding from Hong Kong Baptist University and a degree in Bio-Industry Communication and Development from National Taiwan University. Her experience in the marketing field has allowed her to establish a unique connection between music and business, further enhancing her artistic expression. Additionally, she has shown outstanding dedication to music education, having taught at the Qingshan Elementary and Junior High School Recorder Ensemble, Xingya Junior High School Recorder Ensemble, and Luzhou Junior High School Recorder Ensemble, nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Cherilynne has also studied under renowned recorder masters, including Erik Bosgraaf, Daniel Bruggen, Susanna Borsch, Stefan Temmingh, and Michael Form. These masterclasses have not only refined her technical proficiency but also broadened her musical perspective, allowing her to develop a performance style rich in depth and diversity.