Reflections

This section contains my reflections on various activities and assignments I participated in throughout the program. These include a personal reflection on every SMART goal, the podcast project, reflections on three other industry assignments I joined, and an analysis of the Playground sessions—both the one my group hosted and those organized by classmates. Additionally, I reflect on the Practical Tools sessions, discussing the one we organized as a group and five others I attended.

SMART goals Reflection-KWL method

K = What I Know (Current status)

W = What I Want to achieve (Next steps)

L = What I Learned (Progress/insights)

1. Internship in Amsterdam (Artist/Project Management)

Know: Researched top organizations (such as Paradiso, ID&T, Awakenings, DGTL), sent my CV,and began reaching out to professionals in the Netherlands.
Want: Apply to at least 3 internships per month, focusing on roles that blend music and management. Also improve Dutch language basics to stand out.
Learned: I learned that emails with personalized questions about their work get 50%+ reply rates. Many internships require to know Dutch language, both good speaking and writing level

2. Weekly Scheduling & Deadlines

Know: I created a Google Calendar template but I was inconsistent. When I used properly and started to follow it, it reduced last-minute panic.
Want: I want to stick with "priority list" on Sunday so list tasks per evry day of the week after (top 3 tasks/day). Maybe try sheduled apps like Todoist.
Learned: I learnd that a schedule can save a lot of stress and get your day more organized.

3. Memorize Weekly Industry Theories

Know: I started doing a list of theories but i didn't really followed it.
Want: Apply one theory per month to a real-world case (e.g., analyze a festival’s marketing using the "Peso model" theory).
Learned: I learned that theories stick better when linked to examples.

4. Extra Research for Assignments

Know: I used to add 1-2 academic sources and not going in depth. I have the best results when researching right after receiving the assignment.
Want: Try to allocate 30 minutes/day for research (not last-minute). Use Zotero to organize sources.
Learned: By putting some extra research, professors noticed the effort and grades improved.

5. Societal/Sustainability Links in Projects

Know: I tried to add sustaibility angels to my projects.
Want: Interview a local sustainable event planner for deeper insights.
Learned: Costumers andclients love this, I got positive feedback.

6. Active Learning & Feedback Implementation

Know: Sat in front but still checked phone 2-3x/class. so phone distraction remains.
Want: Leave phone in bag during class. Regarding feedbacks, write them down in a "to do" list document.
Learned: I learned that small changes (such as eye contact with prof) make teachers more engaged in helping me.

7. Independent Learning (4h/week)

Know: I used to average 2/ 3h per week . Most productive in 25-minute Pomodoro bursts.
Want: Dedicate 1h post-class on Tues/Thurs to skill-building (ex. Excel mastering ).
Learned: I learned that active note is the first strp in indipendent learning, also summarizing content of the lectures help a lot.

8. Music Production/Mastering

Know: Downloaded Ableton, made 2 rough beats with a lot of imperfections, also struggled with mixing.
Want: Finish 1 track/month. Take an online course (e.g., Coursera’s "Music Production Specialization").
Learned: Consistency is the key, posted a snippet on SoundCloud and got encouraging DMs.

9. Networking

Know: Connected with 2 professionals ( via LinkedIn). and asked about their career paths.
Want: Comment on 2-3 industry posts/week to stay visible and keep staying in touch with as many professionals as possible.
Learned: I learned that people ignore generic requests ("Let’s connect!") but respond to shared interests.

10. Host a Music Event

Know: Researched venues (costs €500-1,000), made a break-even plan on Excel. Found out that we needed at least 100 attendees at €10/ticket.
Want: Secure 1 sponsor (local brand) by June. Promote via Instagram + student groups.
Learned: I learned that hidden costs kill budgets (ex. permits, security) . Partnering with a student organisation cuts venue costs.

Podcast Reflection - Korthagen Model

1. Action (What happened?)
As a group, we created a podcast where we interviewed Mart, a creative coach at Studio15 Talenthouse. Our goal was to explore how music and creative spaces can contribute to solving social issues. Studio15 offers free workshops and facilities like recording studios, dance rooms, and event stages to support youth development in Twente. During the interview, Mart shared his experience working with young people and how music and creativity are used as tools for social inclusion.

2. Looking back (What did I think and feel?)
At first, I felt unsure about how well our topic would connect with the music industry but after talking to Mart, I realized how powerful music events and youth programs can be in addressing problems like inequality, lack of opportunity, and social exclusion. I also felt proud that we could bring attention to a topic that is often overlooked.

3. Awareness of essential aspects (What does this mean?)
This experience made me more aware of how the music industry can have a real impact beyond entertainment. Places like Studio15 play an important role in offering safe, creative spaces for young people. It also taught me that professionals in this industry often deal with different things; being both creative and socially engaged.

4. Alternative actions (What could I have done differently?)
Next time, I would like to prepare more in-depth questions about the challenges Studio15 faces, or explore specific success stories of youth who benefited from the programs.; i think that would make the podcast more engaging and personal.

5. New perspective (What do I take from this?)
This assignment contributed to my Social Orientation development. It helped me understand how music events and creative industries can support communities and offer positive change. I also developed my communication skills and learned the importance of highlighting maginalized voices in the music world.

Playground Session about Inclusivity-Korthagen Model

1. Action (What happened?)
During our playground session, we focused on the topic of inclusivity at major music festivals such as Tomorrowland, Awakenings, and Defqon 1. We began with a Kahoot quiz to see how much our classmates knew about inclusivity challenges and practices in these events. After the quiz, we facilitated a group discussion on general inclusivity issues in the music event industry. Finally, we assigned a task to deepen their understanding by researching inclusivity measures or challenges related to festivals.

2. Looking back (What did I think and feel?)
I felt engaged and motivated throughout the session, especially seeing how interactive activities like Kahoot showed curiosity and participation. At times, I noticed some classmates were less aware of inclusivity problems than I expected, which made me realize the importance of raising awareness. Overall, I felt proud of our ability to encourage reflection on this important topic.

3. Awareness of essential aspects (What does this mean?)
This experience highlighted that inclusivity is a complex issue in large-scale music events. It also showed me the value of interactive methods in teaching social topics, as they help break down barriers and facilitate open discussion.

4. Alternative actions (What could I have done differently?)
Next time, I would prepare more real-life case studies or testimonies from festival attendees with different backgrounds to make the discussion more relatable and impactful. I would also save more time for open conversation to allow classmates to share personal insights.

5. New perspective (What do I take from this?)
This session was very useful in my learning goal related to Social Orientation because we really realized how important it is for event professionals to actively promote inclusivity. It also improved my presentation skills and showed me how to engage an audience with different prior knowledge.

Playground Session about Freelancing- Korthagen Model

Action (What happened?)
During the playground session led by Bella, Silke, and Dajana, the topic was freelancing. They started with a Kahoot quiz to introduce theoretical aspects of freelancing, which made the session interactive and engaging. Afterward, they asked personal questions, such as whether we had ever considered freelancing or had prior experience with it. Finally, they organized a movement-based game where we had to move to the left or right side of the class depending on whether we had ever considered freelancing (left) or not (right).
Looking back (What did I think and feel?)
I enjoyed the Kahoot quiz, it was fun and helped introduce the topic in an interactive way. The personal questions opened some interesting discussions, as people shared their thoughts and experiences. However, I found the final movement game unnecessary and a bit pointless.
Awareness of essential aspects (What does this mean?)
This session made me realize that while interactive elements like Kahoot can enhance engagement, not all activities contribute equally to learning. The movement game, for example, didn’t deepen my understanding of freelancing.
Alternative actions (What could I have done differently?)
If I were organizing this session, I might have replaced the movement game with a case study discussion or a debate on the pros and cons of freelancing. Another idea could be inviting a guest speaker (even via video) who has freelancing experience to share practical insights.
New perspective (What do I take from this?)
This session helped me in understaning more the world of freelancing, it also made me reflect on my own views about freelancing, as hearing others’ perspectives was valuable. I also learned that interactivity should serve a clear educational goal, not just fill time.

Live Experience: Flied trip to Rotterdam Ahoy

Visiting Rotterdam Ahoy was an incredibly insightful experience. As someone who has attended events there before, seeing the venue from a professional perspective, without crowds and with full access to behind-the-scenes areas, gave me a whole new appreciation for its scale and operations. One of the most impressive parts was exploring the RMT stage without an audience. Seeing it empty really emphasized just how massive the space is and made me think about the technical and logistical planning that goes into setting up concerts and festivals. Walking through backstage areas, conference rooms, and the kitchen was also fascinating. It was interesting to learn how they manage food services for both visitors and staff, highlighting the venue’s efficiency and organization. Overall, this trip reinforced my interest in event management and gave me a clearer picture of the industry’s practical side.

Live Experience: DGTL Backstage Tour

Visiting DGTL Festival for a behind-the-scenes tour was a very cool experience that gave me a whole new perspective on festival production, logistics, and sustainability. Seeing the festival in its setup phase,with stages still being built, crews transporting equipment, and teams coordinating operations, made me appreciate the immense effort that goes into creating such an event. The most impactful takeaway, however, was learning about DGTL’s sustainability efforts. From waste separation systems to reusable cups, renewable energy use, and even plant-based food options, it was inspiring to see how sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the festival. The tour leaders explained how DGTL aims to be a circular festival, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining a high-quality experience.

Practical Tool Sessions

Tool Session organized by me and my group

Entrepeneurship- Starr Method

Situation:

Our group organized a practical tool session on entrepreneurship, featuring industry guest Marc Goothuijse. The session began with Marc sharing insights on freelancing and general tips for becoming an entrepreneur, which was engaging and relevant. However, he later shifted to discussing specific legal and financial regulations in depth—something we hadn’t anticipated or planned for.

At the end, we presented two case study assignments for the class to discuss:

Scenario 1: Acting as a student production manager for the 538 King’s Event in Breda, identifying potential challenges.
Scenario 2: Starting an event business with friends, dealing with pre-financing, international artist bookings, and merchandise sales while negotiating with a venue (Mezz Breda).

Task:

Our goal was to provide practical entrepreneurial knowledge while keeping the session interactive. We wanted Marc’s experience to inspire students, but we also needed to ensure the content aligned with our planned structure. The case studies were designed to simulate real-world challenges in event entrepreneurship.

Result

Positive: Marc’s initial tips on freelancing were valuable and motivational. The case studies worked well,students engaged in lively discussions, applying theoretical knowledge to realistic scenarios.
Challenge: The unplanned deep dive into laws/finance made our session a bit boring. Some students found it too technical, while others appreciated the detail.
Takeaway: The case studies successfully linked theory and practice, helping students think critically about entrepreneurship in events.

Reflection

The interactive case studies were effective, they made entrepreneurship feel tangible, not just theoretical.
What could be improved? Clearer communication with guest speakers beforehand to align content with learning objectives. Next time, I’d ensure better agreement on topics with guest speakers while keeping the focus on interactive, problem-based learning.

Artist Management Tool Session - Starr Method

Situation

Our group hosted a practical tool session on artist management, featuring guest speaker Maikel Hendriks—an experienced artist manager, label owner, and freelancer. The session focused on the process of booking artists, including negotiations, contracts, and industry insights. However, due to nationwide train strikes, the session had to be moved online last-minute, which made engagement and interaction more challenging.

Task

The goal was to provide real-world knowledge about artist management, covering: How to approach and book artists, contractual and financial considerations, building relationships in the industry.

Action

The Guest Speaker Maikel shared valuable tips, such as: the importance of clear communication with artists and agencies, how to structure fair deals (fees, riders, cancellations), the role of networking in securing bookings, used Q&A breaks to keep engagement up, encouraged students to submit questions in the chat.

Result

Positive: Maikel’s expertise provided practical, insider knowledge that textbooks can’t offer, we gained a realistic view of artist negotiations and industry challenges.
Challenge:The online format made discussions less dynamic, harder to read reactions. Some technical difficulties (audio delays, screen-sharing issues) disrupted the flow.

Reflection

The speaker’s real-life examples (successes & failures) made the topic relatable. I also think that structuring the session with specific themes (contracts, negotiations, networking) kept it organized.

What could be improved? A hybrid or in-person session would have allowed better interaction. I also hink that preparing more interactive tools (polls, breakout discussions) could help future online sessions.

Dj Workshop Tool Session - What? So what? Now what? method

What?
I attended a DJ workshop where I learned advanced techniques like transitions, EQ mixing, and effects control. Although I already had some basic skills, the workshop helped me refine my technical abilities and discover new creative approaches.

So What?

Improved Skills: I now understand how to blend tracks more smoothly and use effects purposefully.
New Perspective: Seeing different mixing styles from the instructor and other participants expanded my idea of what’s possible.
Confidence Boost: Practicing in a structured setting made me feel more comfortable experimenting.

Now What?

I’ll apply these techniques in my own sets to develop my unique style.
I want to learn more about live remixing and advanced software features.
I might teach some basics to friends who are just starting out.

Stage Design Tool Session -What? So what? Now what? method

What?
We had an event design session with a guest speaker who was a former student from our program, now working in the industry. After discussing the theory behind stage design, we worked in pairs to create a Defqon 1-inspired stage concept, incorporating their logo and LED elements.