To develop myself professionally I created the goal "Gain knowledge and experience in artist management''. To achieve this goal I took on 2 roles that gave me real life experiences and the possibilities to grow my network and skills. These experiences have not only been amazing but also valuable for my growth. They alligned with my learning goals like communication and leadership and networking and gave me the chance to strengthen these goals and achieve them.

For my first experience in artists handling I went to Austria for a week, to attend Dutchweek in Gerlos as a crew member. Ofcourse this was already a moment when my life felt so surreal to just be getting all the wonderful chances and experiences as a job! I took on multiple tasks like ticket sales, ticket scanning and artists handling/transport. This required me to stay focussed, organised, professional and communicate clearly with other crew members. I worked with artists such as Jody Bernal, Diaz and Bruno, Wir Sind Spitze, Team Rush Hour, Matties, Harrie Snijders and many more! My tasks included giving the artists a warm welcome and providing them their skipasses and drink/food coins. I ensured they were provided with drinks and that the riders were ready for their performance. We also had to pick up and drive back artists to the airport this really ephasised how needed communication is and had me in contact with the managers of artists or artists themselves to make sure we knew exactly where they would be standing and arrived on time. I made sure to network with the different artists and managers and am still in contact with some of them! In Austria I had to communicate in Dutch, English and German working on my communication and language skills as well and was quite surpised about being able to hold a conversation in German. Overall this whole week was amazing on every aspect, I had the chance to develop myself professionally and personally and network with amazing people. This week showed me that I have a passion for working with artists and this is a part of the industry I would love to learn more of and develop myself in!

My second experience was a bit closer to home, I got the chance to work as an artist handler at Rebirth festival. I got this function due to networking at the Dutch Grand Prix last year and keeping contact with my contact at Rebirth. After a whole year the weekend finally came, one that I was very excited for after my experience with the artists in Austria! This role asked a bit more of me as it was completely focussed on artist handling and had major artists on the lists. Over the course of three days I was responsible for transporting artists around the festival grounds in a golf cart, ensuring they arrived at their stages on time to start their set. I had to work quickly but safe and efficiently under high pressure. This really tested my problem solving capability and to stay calm under pressure and stressful situations. There were moments when artists arrived late at the parking and needed to be on stage in under two minutes as a headliner. I enjoyed these moments the most, I got a better insight in how to fix issues like these as well. We quickly drove to the stage where the other artist was supposed to play in 3 minutes and asked the current DJ to extend his set and other artists that already arrived on the ground were asked to switch their set times so everything would run smoothly. Besides this I assisted as a stage manager and signing sessions.  This let me experience a more logistical part by having to check set times, handling request and asking riders and making sure artists stopped there set on time which is really important for closing. Both experiences have helped me with achieving my smart goals and have shown me that I love artist handling! They also relate to my smart goals 6 & 7 which are improvement of my professional skills and to work on my leadership skills.

At both events I had responsibilities and guided artists, worked with professional people e ensured event succes. I strengthened my communication and time management skills while learning what an artist handler does. I discovered a passion for artist handling which will be a good option to explore fur my future career. These experiences have added to my professional development. They have enhanced my logistical skills but also my confidence and leadership abilities. I am curious and excited for the tour management part of productions and logistics at school and will continue to find jobs like these to develop myself in this area