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27 November, 2025

AEC and EPASA General Assembly and Elections

At the 2025 AEC General Assembly, the AEC members gathered to hear updates on recent developments within the association and to make key decisions concerning the association.

Following an introduction by AEC President Deborah Kelleher, AEC Executive Director Finn Schumacker presented the advocacy work carried out in 2025, outlined the political priorities of the EU agenda, and explained how AEC’s key issues align with them. After his presentation, AEC General Manager Linda Messas provided an overview of the various projects and programmes undertaken by AEC this year.

The floor then passed to Communication Manager Alessandra Callegari, who presented the AEC 2030 Communication Strategy and highlighted key communication topics.

The GA also featured contributions from MusiQuE Chair Jacques Moreau and Board member Orla McDonagh, who offered further perspectives on ongoing developments with MusiQuE.

Decisions taken by the GA

During the General Assembly, AEC active members voted on several important documents, including those related to key financial issues such as the proposed AEC budget and the updated membership fees for 2026.

The Assembly also formally endorsed the AEC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Policy 2030, presented by Alfonso Guerra, AEC Network and Finance Manager. This marks a major step forward in ensuring that DEI principles are firmly embedded in the organisation’s daily activities, long-term planning, and decision-making processes.

Moreover, the General Assembly welcomed the 2025 cohort of new members, raising the total AEC membership to 314, with 271 active members and 43 associate members. This marks a new record for the organisation, highlighting its expanding reach and influence.

All GA documents are available here

AEC Council Elections

The active members of the AEC also voted in the Executive Committee and Council elections. 

Executive Committee:

  • Deborah Kelleher from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (Ireland) was re-elected  as AEC President, 
  • Jeffrey Sharkey from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (UK) was re-elected as AEC Vice-President, 
  • Ivana Perković from the University of the Arts Belgrade (Serbia) was re-elected as AEC Secretary General. Following the vote, all three candidates.

Council:

  • Riccardo Ceni from Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi Milano (Italy) – re-elected
  • Keld Hosbond from the Royal Academy of Music (Denmark) – re-elected 
  • Sandrine Desmurs from Cefedem Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (France) – newly elected, and 
  • Vicent Sanchis Caparrós from Conservatori Superior de Música “Joaquín Rodrigo” de València (Spain) – newly elected..

We warmly congratulate the newly elected Board and wish them a fulfilling and successful term ahead.

Following the 2025 General Assembly, the AEC Council has the following composition.

The AEC Council and AEC Office would like to express their sincere gratitude to Claire Michon (Pôle Aliénor, Poitiers-Tours, France) and to Bruno Pereira (ESMAE – Porto’s Superior School of Music and Performing Arts, Polytechnic Institute, Porto, Portugal), who concluded their term on the Council. We are grateful for their dedication and outstanding contributions to the AEC Council and the AEC membership at large.

EPASA

The EPASA – European Performing Arts Students’ Association Conference also took place on 8–9 November, featuring a series of interactive sessions, open discussions, and creative laboratories that explored the realities, challenges, and ambitions of students in the performing arts.

The conference provided students with the opportunity to engage directly with the issues that matter the most to them. During the Burning Topics Panel, participants took part in discussions with peers and experts, addressing ideas shared collectively. In the Thematic Sharing: Student Realities session, students shared their stories, challenges, and successes, creating a space to reflect, learn from one another, explore the challenges and opportunities faced by students across Europe, connect with peers from different institutions and countries, and build networks that extend beyond the conference. Finally, the Creative Problem Solving Lab invited participants to bring their most pressing questions—from burnout and sustainability to DEI policies—for collaborative, hands-on workshops led by EPASA Board members. Attendees worked together to generate practical solutions that could be implemented at their own institutions.

The EPASA Annual Conference also served as the occasion for the EPASA General Assembly, during which the new board was elected. We would like to sincerely thank outgoing President Monica Vejgaard, Vice-President Miranda Harmer, and Board Member Iveri Kekenadze Gustafsson for their invaluable dedication and contribution to EPASA and every success in their next endeavors. As per the 2025 EPAS elections, the EPASA board has the following composition:

Natalie Roe (Royal Welsh College, Wales) as President, Marloes De Nul (Conservatorium Maastricht, Netherlands) as Vice-President, Jack Mahony (MTU Cork School of Music) as Secretary General, and Louise Schrøder (The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, Denmark), Berta Homs (ESMUC, Spain), and Carlo Mazzini (Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi di Milano, Italy) as Board Members.

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