Harpist Joost Willemze has won the Grachtenfestival Award 2023. The professional jury praised his performance: 'From the first to the last note, Joost keeps you on the edge of your seat. His complete technical mastery of the instrument allows him to draw the listener into his musical narrative.'

As a result, Joost wil be Artist in Residence 2024 of the Grachtenfestival and get carte blanche to programme a concert. 

Joost graduated from the master's degree programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2021. Earlier this year he won the Dutch Classical Talent Award.