Writing Days of the Open Studio

Write your own song in three days during the Open Studio writing days on Aug. 25, 26 and 27. Under the guidance of music coaches René van Mierlo (Stef Bos, Diggy Dex), Michael van Broekhuizen (Elephant) and Donnie Duvall (Metropole Orkest, Open Studio) you will get to work on lyrics and musical compositions. Will your song be the new summer hit of 2025?

You will receive targeted coaching at your level, from beginner to semi-advanced. We respond to your personal question: is this your first time writing a song and do you want to learn how to do it? Do you already have a few songs you want to write? Or do you finally want to score that No. 1 hit? The coaches can help you with all these questions during the writing days.

Program August 25 and 26

The writing days on Aug. 25 and 26 will take place at the creative new location Het Stationshuis (Marcellus Emantspad 1). Here we can retreat to colorful writing nooks and gather in the cozy café. The days consist of collaborative workshops and individual writing moments where coaches will provide 1-on-1 tips and feedback.

Performance on Aug. 27

On August 27, there is the opportunity to present your written song, at a special edition of Podium Pancake at Stunt Foundation (Vulcanusweg 307). Invite your family, friends and neighbors to come and listen to your song while enjoying a freshly baked pancake. The performance begins at 7 p.m. Of course, this performance is not mandatory.

About the music coaches

For years, René van Mierlo has stood alongside Holland's greatest artists as an undeniable guitar talent. His virtuosity and musical insights have earned him a reputation as one of the most highly regarded guitarists on the Dutch music scene. As a songwriter, he has amassed an impressive anthology. René is the regular guitarist of popular artists such as Diggy Dex and Stef Bos. In addition, he has collaborated with a wide range of other well-known musicians, including Trijntje Oosterhuis, Edsilia Rombley, Brigitte Kaandorp, Guus Meeuwis, Miss Montreal and Jeroen van der Boom. René is also known for his humor and modesty.

Michael Broekhuizen is known as guitarist, bassist, vocalist and songwriter in the indie band 'Elephant'. Together with his band, he has been able to cross just about every pop stage and festival in the Netherlands (Paradiso, Lowlands, Pinkpop, Best Kept Secret, Down the Rabbit) off his bucket list. After releasing an EP and three studio albums on the Amsterdam record label Excelsior (Spinvis, JOHAN, Danny Vera), he and the band are already hard at work writing for the next recording sessions in the Rockfield studios in Wales, where bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen and Coldplay have also recorded.

Besides playing and writing in his band and graduating in 2014 from the Pop Academy in Rotterdam, he has more than 10 years of experience in giving (bass) guitar lessons and band coaching in all kinds of styles, always leaving room for developing songwriting skills and coming up with musical parts and hooks. He has also been working as a coach at Open Studio Delft for several years now.

Donnie DuVall began his career as a musician in the punk rock scene of the 1980s in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Later, he also graduated as a music teacher, performer (classical and jazz) and composer from the Conservatory of Music (VCU, 1993) in the same city. Here he also studied classical guitar under the guidance of mentor John Patykula. In addition, he came into contact with great names such as Duck Baker, John Jackson, David Russell, Jesus Silva and John Scofield.

In 1993 Donnie emigrated to the Netherlands and continued his performing career in the form of participation in various international music projects, in which he collaborated with top artists such as Minyeshu Kifle, Dilaver Goktas, Rei Satoshi, Izaline Callister and Oleg Fateev, among others. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Metropole Orchestra, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, the Euregio Orchestra and New Cool Collective, among others.

Donnie is best known in Delft as the musical captain of Open Studio where he helps musicians of all ages, levels and backgrounds create their own music.

Practical and sign up

Writing days

• Date: Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26
• Time: noon - 4 p.m.
• Location: Station House, Marcellus Emantspad 1

Performance

• Date: Wednesday, Aug. 27
• Time: 5 pm - 8 pm. We gather at 5 p.m. The performance starts at 7 p.m.
• Location: Stunt Foundation, Vulcanusweg 307

Sign up

Want to participate in the writing days? Sign up by August 20 by email: aanmelden@cultuurhuisdelft.nl. Please include your name, age and how much experience you have with writing music. Note: there is a limited number of spots!

Photo: Music coach Donnie Duvall jams at Club Delft Festival 2024. Photographer: Jurjen Bolsenbroek.

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