Doriene Marselje

When Doriene Marselje was six years old, she first encountered the spellbinding sound of the harp. Drawn to the instrument’s resonance, she began lessons that would set the course of her life. Just a year later, Doriene’s talent was unmistakable, leading her to win the Young Talent Award from the Gergiev Festival and perform her first solo concert at the Doelen.

As she grew, so did her passion and skill. By the age of 10, Doriene had earned a place in the Young Talents Class at the Utrecht Conservatory, where she studied under Erika Waardenburg. Her journey continued at the Amsterdam Conservatory and later with Ernestine Stoop at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where she completed her master’s degree in 2012.

Throughout her career, Doriene has captivated audiences across Europe as a soloist and has been a frequent presence on national television and radio. Yet, despite her success on traditional stages, something within her yearned for more—a desire to push the boundaries of what her instrument could express.

This drive led her to explore new horizons in music and performance. In collaboration with industrial designers Wouter Marselje and Wilco van Iperen, Doriene created a unique interactive installation that merges music with visual art, allowing her to craft performances that are as visually compelling as they are sonically innovative.

Her creativity knows no bounds, whether as a soloist, a guest musician with ensembles, or in multidisciplinary performances that blend contemporary music theater with other art forms. Doriene has both created and performed numerous original works that challenge the traditional limits of her instrument.

Since 2022, Doriene has taken on the role of main subject teacher of harp at the Fontys Academy of Music and Performing Arts, where she inspires the next generation of harpists.

But her mission doesn’t stop there. Constantly seeking to expand the harp’s reach, she delves into new compositions, live effects, and collaborations, ensuring that her instrument continues to evolve alongside her ever-expanding artistic vision.