My Handpan Journey
Nearly twenty years ago, I encountered a handpan for the first time. This was a Hang, during a period long before handpans were as widely available as they are now. I instantly fell in love with the sound and have been seeking a way to play one myself ever since. This proved to be quite challenging. After a long search, I finally bought my first handpan eight years later, in 2012.
Development as a Handpan Artist
I could never have imagined that the handpan would become such a significant part of my life. Initially, I bought the instrument purely for personal enjoyment. For several years, the handpan remained something I played mainly at home, separate from my work as a musician.
However, my desire to do more with the handpan grew.
Back then, very little was happening with handpan in the Netherlands, and the opportunities for growth were incredibly liberating. The handpan is still a young and relatively unknown instrument, which gives a lot of room for development. Gradually, I began integrating the handpan into my professional work alongside my drumming.
Today, I have a growing online handpan school, offer consultations at Handpanshop, and perform regularly. Most of my performances are solo, but I am definitely open to new opportunities and collaborative projects in the future.
Sources of Inspiration
The handpan community is rapidly expanding, which is very exciting. When I bought my first handpan, there was little information available, so I had to figure out much on my own. Over time, more players emerged who inspired me with their innovation and originality.
Sam Maher was the first to open new doors for me, followed by Kabeção, from whom I have learned a great deal. His technique and style are a major source of inspiration for me. Manu Delago is another significant influence, especially with his unique combinations of handpan and electronics.
Beyond handpan players, I also draw inspiration from musicians in other genres whose creative choices impact me deeply. In the neoclassical field, artists like Nils Frahm, Max Richter and Joep Beving inspire me with their minimalist approach to composition and performance, which I enjoy incorporating into my handpan playing.
Future Plans
In recent years, my main focus with the handpan has been on developing my Dutch online teaching courses and lessons. I also work at Handpanshop on a regular base, and am increasingly involved in recordings and performances.
I hope to expand these activities in the coming years, and I am also slowly working on a solo album. There is much to look forward to!
I play on Pandakini & Chaya handpans.
Interested in my drumming story? Click here for more information about my work as a drummer. For more details about my work as a handpan teacher (in Dutch), click here.
