Alumna Cynthia Chua was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau on April 23. Cynthia has been dedicated to promoting art, culture and education for almost her entire life. At the age of 16, she began studying Music in Education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. She recently completed a master's degree in Musical Leadership at the CvA, where she studied music education, electronic music and musical leadership.

Cynthia is committed to helping vulnerable groups in society. For example, she founded the first digital orchestra in order to promote resilience among vulnerable at-risk youth. She has also realized musical projects for refugees, addicts and the homeless.
Cynthia inspires students in many different ways: as an artist who has performed on stages such as Mysteryland and Carré, as a guest lecturer at the CvA and as a teacher at the Katholieke Scholengemeenschap Hoofddorp. She mentors students with complex issues and opensthe world of music for them. Even when one of her students was convicted, she facilitated music lessons in detention, supporting her student to stay on the straight and narrow. She also did various volunteer work, such as at the Chinese School Hoofddorp. For years, as co-founder of GIG Haarlemmermeer, she has been giving artistic youngsters the chance to develop their talents, and then teaching them how to use their talent to contribute to society.