Esther Schopman

An expert in Applied Educational Science, Dr. Esther Schopman has pioneered interactive learning methods at the University of Twente and Utrecht University. As city carillonist of Enschede in the Netherlands, she actively integrates the carillon into the city’s cultural life through contemporary compositions, community engagement, and a recent project that gathered and arranged 150 songs from Enschede residents representing countries around the world.

Beyond her musical work, Esther serves as coordinator, senior researcher, and lecturer in artistic research in the Master of Music program at ArtEZ University of the Arts. She also leads the Sound City platform, connecting musicians and sonic artists with societal organizations to foster public participation, well-being, and social impact through the arts.

Inspired by Healing Bells’ musical storytelling, Esther brought the concept to her region through “Far from My Bed,” a project highlighting the lived experiences of people forced to flee war-torn countries. Through music and personal narratives, she creates space for reflection, connection, and collective healing.

“In the musical series ‘Far from my Bed,’ we try to give an artistic perspective on the side effects of conflict situations worldwide. The title refers to the expression ‘far-from-my-bed-show,’ something that happens far away from your world, literally or figuratively. It often proves very difficult to properly empathise with situations of human suffering around us. Something you have not experienced yourself you can only imagine to a limited extent. Striving for peace, diplomacy and solutions can promote stability and minimise human suffering. Can we realise through artistic means that an event or situation unfolding outside your ‘bubble’—far from your own bed—still affects you?”