Merlijn Twaalfhoven

Merlijn Twaalfhoven is a creative researcher of complex social problems. He designed many unconventional music and theatre projects, worked in conflict areas and refugee camps and is founder of The Turn Club, a collaboration of art professionals and bridge builders who approach social issues with an artist’s mindset.

Merlijn studied composition and viola at the Amsterdam Conservatory, worked with the Kronos Quartet, Holland Festival and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, among others, and initiated festivals and collaborative projects in Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Brazil and the US. In doing so, he breaks through existing boundaries between genres and styles and looks for connections between population groups and cultures. He received a UNESCO award and was nominated for the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts.