Codarts believes in developing your unique musical voice and equipping you with the skills to continuously improve yourself.  
 
Our excellent teaching team consists of Nils van Haften, Ben van Dungen and Tineke Postma, who boast a wide range of expertise and experience.  
 
Ben van Dungen is a prominent Dutch jazz saxophonist who has been a lasting influence on the Dutch and international music scene as a musician, teacher, and composer. His passion for jazz has taken him to international destinations including New York, Cuba, and India. He was part of influential groups such as Nueva Manteca and Tango Extremo. In addition to a career as a performer and teacher, he is a dedicated composer.  
 
Nils van Haften is a Codarts music graduate and knows the Rotterdam music scene like no other. He is the leader of various big bands in the region and in addition to his work at Codarts he also teaches music to high school students. He is an all-round saxophone player who performs with ensembles such as the Metropole Orchestra, the Clazz Ensemble, The Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra and The Frankfurt Radio Big Band. He boasts extensive knowledge of orchestral music and is an expert in section work and saxophone technique. 
 
Internationally recognised and accomplished saxophonist and composer Tineke Postma studied both in the Netherlands and in New York. She performs with world-famous names such as Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter. She has released eight albums under her own name and is part of many international projects. Her saxophone playing is praised worldwide and her style is often described as uniquely personal, anchored in jazz tradition with modern influences that she likes to convey to her students.

In the third year we encourage you to create your own musical project. This will strengthen your mastery of the jazz tradition and challenges you to experiment with contemporary jazz music. As a student you will have the opportunity to perform at the annual Brand New Jazz Festival. 
 
Our goal is to help you become a self-sufficient musician who can thrive in the music world. After four years at Codarts you will be able to continue to develop and perfect your skills without constant guidance. As a musician, you are never finished learning. We want you to become your own 'teacher', able to learn new styles of music, improve yourself and develop your creative musical expressions. 

Notable Codarts alumni include names like Marike van Dijk, Jesse Schilderink and Loek van der Berg. 

Our hands-on learning environment and close ties with real-life music practice create a stimulating setting where you can find and develop your own voice. Codarts also offers you a multitude of workshops and masterclasses, where you study with Dutch and international saxophone artists. Recent masterclasses have been presented by Ben Wendel, Seamus Blake and Michael Moore.

We have also created opportunities for students to collaborate with other learning institutions, venues and major events, such as the Willem de Kooning Academy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Lantarenvenster, BIRD, Jazz International Rotterdam and the International Film Festival Rotterdam. At Codarts you will find many opportunities to expand your musical and artistic horizons!