Following the call for members launched in June, AEC received many strong applications, making the task of the selection Committee quite hard!

We are very pleased with the composition of our four new working groups:

Digitisation Working Group

The Digitisation Working Group (WG) will promote the continued development and integration of digital tools, including AI, in the institutions’ curricula and operations by further building the sector’s capacities, developing transversal digital competencies and exploring the opportunities and challenges arising from the development of AI. 

  • Thom Gilbert – Royal College of Music (London, UK) Chair of the WG. Thom Gilbert is Digital Learning Manager and Lecturer and was a member of the Digitisation WG under the ARTEMIS project. Among other things, he has experience with strategic planning and implementation of projects and investments within educational technology.
  • Yaşam Hancilar – Codarts Rotterdam (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Daniela Peclová – Janáček Academy of Performing Arts (Brno, Czech Republic)
  • Matti Ruippo – Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Tampere, Finland)
  • Anna Habruk – Conservatorio di Musica “Nino Rota” (Monopoli, Italy)
  • Pau Vallès – Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Finn Schumacker – AEC Office

Music, Society & Sustainability Working Group 

The Music, Society & Sustainability Working Group (WG) will study collaboration models between AEC member organisations and societal partners aiming at empowering emerging artists to strengthen and widen participation in active music making and creating, and will explore connections between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and musical creation. 

  • Karolien Dons – Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Groningen, The Netherlands), Chair of the WG. Dr Karolien Dons is Professor of Music in Context at the Research Centre Art & Society of the Hanze. Her expertise consists of innovative music practices in societal contexts. 
  • Esther Adrian, Hochschule für Musik (Lübeck, Germany)
  • Joris Blanckaert, KASK & Conservatorium, School of arts HOGENT (Ghent, Belgium)
  • Maria Kalleitner – Universität Mozarteum (Salzburg , Austria)
  • Margrethe Langer Bro – The Royal Academy of Music (Aarhus, Denmark) 
  • Monica Lopez – Hochschule Luzern (Luzern, Switzerland)
  • Linda Messas – AEC Office

Education and Profession Working Group

The Education and Profession Working Group (WG) will explore how to bridge the gap between education and professional practice and will advocate for close collaboration with students, student organisations and society stakeholders.

  • Jan Gerd Kruger –  Kielzog (Hoogezand, The Netherlands) – Head of Education at Kielzog Art Center and long-time Education manager, he has been actively involved in developing innovative learning environments that bridge formal training and the realities of artistic work.
  • Sorana Santos – Freelance (London, UK)
  • Oana Balan-Budoiu – Academia Națională de Muzică, “Gheorghe Dima” (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
  • Cecile Rongen – HKU Utrecht Conservatorium (Utrecht, The Netherlands)
  • Ema Proso – Academy of Music, University of Zagreb (Zagreb, Croatia)
  • Beatriz Laborda – AEC Office

Special Education Needs (SEN) Working Group

The Special Education Needs (SEN) Working Group (WG) will enhance cultural participation and inclusion for artists with SEN across Higher Music Education (HME) institutions by supporting the development of competences among cultural professionals in HME institutions, strengthening inclusive practices, and establishing a network of institutions committed to social inclusion, fostering collaboration and the exchange of good practices. 

  • Elide Scarlata – Conservatorio Statale di Musica Alessandro Scarlatti (Palermo, Italy), Chair of the WG. Elide Scarlata is coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Theories and Techniques of Music Therapy in Palermo, and former President of the European Music Therapy Confederation.
  • Dr. Maria Prodromou – European University Cyprus (Nicosia, Cyprus)
  • Dr. Melissa Mercadal – Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Kim Fallen Bailey – Royal Irish Academy of Music (Dublin, Ireland)
  • Beatrice Iordache – Gheorghe Dima National Academy of Music (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
  • Jessica Harris – Royal Irish Academy of Music (Dublin, Ireland), WG Advisor
  • Alfonso Guerra – AEC Office, WG Coordinator

Through these Working Groups, the AEC advances its mission by actively engaging experts and practitioners in addressing key issues facing higher music education. These groups play a key role in advancing strategic areas of development within the sector by contributing to professional development, knowledge-sharing across institutions, as well as policy work. 

The Working Groups were created in October 2025 and will conduct their activities until the end of 2028, with the support of the EU Creative Europe grant for European Networks.