What begins with a tentative first note in the classroom often grows into much more than just a music lesson at The Residents. The Residentie Orkest educational project, supported by Fonds 1818, Residentie Orkest together children from all over The Hague, allowing them to collaborate, perform, and, above all, build self-confidence. Music teacher Leonidas Zhupali—who has been involved with the project since 2017—sees it happen a few times a week.

With a little luck, you’ll meet at least one teacher in your life who will stay with you forever. Someone who sees you for who you are, someone who helps you realize what makes you happy, who knows how to lift you up. Leonidas (or Leo, Ledion, Leon: “Call me whatever you like; in the Netherlands, people find Leonidas funny because of the chocolates”) is especially lucky, because he had two such teachers in his life. The music teacher—born in Albania, raised on the Greek island of Corfu, and now living in The Hague—still often thinks of his sources of inspiration, Spiros and Marina. Spiros sparked his love for brass instruments, and Marina his love for reading.

You can find the full article on the Fonds 1818 website.