Welcome back to the new academic year and the introduction week! Our new students will follow a diverse program during the First Year Festival. From Early music to Yoga to an Escape Room, the newbies will have plenty of opportunities to get to know the conservatoire, the city and most importantly each other. A couple of our older students will accompany them during this exciting week. We would like to introduce our mentor coordinator, or also known as Head Elf: Gita (first person from left)! Together with her team she will be there all week to answer all your questions, accompany you to the activities and lending an ear to your problems. Gita is in her fourth year of the Bachelor in Vocal Studies Classical Music. She focuses on operas and managed to make a name for herself by e.g. singing in Mozart’s Magic Flute in the Pelagian Opera Festival in Kent. She smiles when she thinks back to her own beginnings at the KC. “I immediately felt the openness of the school during my auditions. The teachers here are forthcoming and approachable. I haven’t experienced this at other schools. Also, The Hague has an excellent reputation internationally. But what really makes this place unique is, that you have the chance to participate in forming the school.” This is also why Gita volunteers at the FYF, @KonConnect and the school participation council. We wish you an inspiring introduction week and hope that Gita’s story will encourage you to help us form this school and build a community.