The Dutch sopran, Anneke Bliek-Monsma, grew up in a musical family. She started singing at the age of 4 and has never stopped since. From 1996 to 2002 she sang in the Maasstedelijk Meisjeskoor, where she regularly performed as a soloist. In the same period she sang in the Maasstedelijk Vocaal Ensemble, Maasstedelijk Kamerkoor and Capella Rotterdam. She contributed to, among other things, two operettas in the Zuidplein Theater, J.S. Bach's Mattheus Passion (BWV 244) and the opera Dido and Aeneas by Purcell. In 2001-2002 she attended a year of preparatory training in classical singing (in addition to her tax law studies) at the Rotterdams Conservatorium with Carolyn Watkinson and Roberta Alexander.
Together with 5 friends, Anneke Bliek founded the vocal ensemble Vocalism in December 2003. This ensemble existed until 2013 and mainly sang a cappella music from all style periods. In 2004 she recorded her first CD under the guidance of the pianist/organist Arjan Breukhoven. From September 2006 to December 2011, she studied classical singing at the Conservatorium of Utrecht, where she was taught by Eugenie Ditewig. On December 2, 2011 she gave her final exam concert and passed with an 8.5.
In addition, Anneke Bliek was a member of the Laurenscantorij in Rotterdam from 2008 to 2013, where she still regularly performs as a soloist in the monthly J.S. Bach cantatas. She also sings in the professional Laurens Collegium Rotterdam, also led by Wiecher Mandemaker, which provides concerts on the larger stages of the Netherlands on a project basis. Collaboration was given to projects together with the Orchestra of the 18th Century, Het Gelders Orkest, Limburgs Symphonie Orkest, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Bochumer Symphoniker, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Residentie Orkest Den Haag and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by various conductors.
Anneke Bliek also regularly performs as a soloist, both in small ensembles and with larger ensembles and orchestra. She also collaborates with various conductors and choirs. She also sings ensemble work and suitable programs for various occasions with the Petit Four quartet and the Ammiccare trio.
Besides singing, Anneke Bliek works as a scientific researcher at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and as a deputy judge at the Rotterdam District Court, in the field of local taxes. She currently lives in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. |