We are proud to share that pianist Nikola Meeuwsen, alum of the 'School voor Jong Talent' at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, has won the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Competition. He is the first Dutch musician ever to receive this prestigious international award. “I never expected this. The dream was to reach the finals. And then to win as the first Dutchman, that's truly special,” Nikola says in an interview with NOS.
During the semi-final of the Queen Elisabeth Competition on 14 May, Nikola impressed with his interpretation of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 (KV 271), performed with the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie conducted by Vahan Mardirossian. He also performed the compulsory work "Two Studies for Piano" by Ana Sokolović. This earned him a well-deserved place in the final, where he performed on Wednesday, May 28, in the Henry Le Boeuf Hall of the Palace of Fine Arts (Bozar) in Brussels. For his final performances, he played the specially commissioned compulsory piece 'Music for the Heart' by Kris Defoort, alongside Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16. Relive Nikola's performances here.
Nikola began his musical education at the 'School voor Jong Talent' (SvJT), where he studied piano as his main subject with Marlies van Gent. His exceptional talent was recognised early on within the Royal Conservatoire: "Nikola Meeuwsen is a rare talent. With his natural affinity for the piano, great precision, and drive, he demands the utmost of himself when he practices. His inquisitive mind, artistry, and bravura define him as a musician. He is a magician on stage," said Marlies van Gent.
Nikola has since grown into a much sought-after pianist with a strong international reputation. He is currently an Artist in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, where he studies with Frank Braley and Avedis Kouyoumdjian.
The Queen Elisabeth Competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world for young artists and represents an important step towards an international career. We congratulate Nikola on this remarkable and inspiring achievement!
