VIVA - Empowering Children and Youth Through Music

VIVA is dedicated to giving children and young people the opportunity to discover, experience, and grow through music. Our mission goes beyond nurturing future musicians — we create meaningful musical experiences that inspire confidence, connection, and creativity.

Founded two years ago by BRYGGEN and JOWest, and their founders Jolente De Maeyer and Dirk Lievens, VIVA brings together expertise from higher music education, the professional concert world, and a strong network of Belgian music academies and youth initiatives. This unique collaboration allows us to make classical music accessible to a wide and diverse audience.

In just two years, VIVA has reached over 2,000 children and young people through workshops, summer camps, concerts, and our annual VIVA Feest! at Concertgebouw Bruges. Our activities take place in music academies, mainstream primary schools, and schools for children with special needs, ensuring that music reaches those who may not otherwise encounter it. A powerful highlight was our 2024 collaboration with the European Academy of Childhood Disability, where hundreds of children with disabilities performed on the main stage at Concertgebouw Bruges.

Through participatory workshops, summer camps, and large-scale events, VIVA helps children develop social, emotional, and creative skills while building confidence and lasting connections — creating a strong foundation for their future, both in music and beyond.