On 9 October 2026, the Royal Conservatoire The Hague awarded Ukrainian composer Alla Zagaykevych the title Maestra Honoris Causa in recognition of her artistic excellence and extraordinary commitment to music, education and artistic life under the most difficult circumstances.
When the invitation came to nominate a Maestro or Maestra Honoris Causa on behalf of each department of the Royal Conservatoire, the Institute of Sonology immediately seized this invitation as an opportunity to put the spotlight on someone who is important to the discipline but is not yet visible within the Conservatoire. In these turbulent times, Sonology wanted to recognise not only artistic excellence, but also an extraordinary commitment to music, education and artistic life under the most difficult circumstances. The choice eventually fell on the Ukrainian composer Alla Zagaykevych.
Not only does Alla have an impressive track record as a composer of instrumental and electroacoustic music; she has also been very committed to the establishment of an electronic music studio at the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv and for electroacoustic and improvised music in general. Since 2010, she has been President of the Electroacoustic Music Association of Ukraine. She has more than earned her spurs.
Alla has continued her work as a composer and teacher in Ukraine under extraordinarily difficult circumstances since the Russian invasion. Classes have to be interrupted when the air raid siren goes off and then continued in bomb shelters. Damaged infrastructure creates enormous practical challenges, alongside the grief and loss caused by the war.
Alla's reaction to this award is moving and shows that she fully deserves it:
'I view this distinction as a recognition of the long-term creative work of the Ukrainian contemporary music community in general, and the electroacoustic music community in particular.
I regard the conferral of the Maestra Honoris Causa title at this very moment - during the war and Ukraine’s struggle to preserve its statehood and national identity - not merely as a gesture of professional recognition for my own modest work, but primarily as a gesture of moral support for all Ukrainian artists.'
Maestro Honoris Causa
On the occasion of the Conservatoire’s 200th anniversary, the honorary title Maestro Honoris Causa is awarded. This special distinction honours individuals who have made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the arts and to their field. The Maestri form a lasting source of inspiration for the Conservatoire’s students, teachers and alumni.
As a symbol of this recognition, the Maestri receive a unique artwork from the series Things We Carry by artist Pim Schumacher. This series reflects the connections we share as people: our relationships, our stories and our sense of community. The artwork highlights not only the individual achievements of the Maestro, but also their significance within a larger whole.
Discover the other Maestri and read more here.