The Educational Programmes are only given in Dutch. You can check which language level you should have HERE.

In the Educational Programmes, you are trained to become a passionate artist-teacher. Two years after the start of this programme - a collaboration between the RITCS and the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, Schools of Arts of the Erasmushogeschool Brussel - some 60 students are currently well on their way to obtaining their diploma. We approached some of them - from a safe distance - to share some more details about the ins and outs of the programme. 

The pop stars of the Educational Programmes preferred to be photographed safely and semi-anonymously. From left to right:  
~ Nicolas Van Belle, 29 years, Educational Master - Guitar  
~ Sterre De Vresse, 29 years, Educational Master - Radio 
~ Emanuel Van Mieghem, 27 years, Educational Master - Jazz, Double bass   

Sterre: During my studies, I already gave Dutch lessons to adults. At first, this was mainly to pay my studies, but then I discovered that I actually really enjoyed doing this. Afterwards, I also gave workshops as a freelance artistic assistant at Aifoon, an organisation that focuses on the art of sound and listening. Then the realisation dawned on me that I definitely wanted to find work in this sector. At the same time, I wondered whether my way of teaching was "right", or how it should be. Corona was also the ideal moment for me to get this extra diploma.

Nicolas: I'll be honest, after my studies at the Conservatoire of Ghent I had no intention of becoming a teacher. Just before the lockdown I quit my job in the restaurant business, and then suddenly I got a job offer from my former guitar teacher. I was allowed to start teaching guitar myself, on the condition that I would get this diploma. And in the end, I do feel at home now, it is much better than a job where you are not really involved in your passion anymore.

Emanuel: I was already teaching, not for my instrument but as an introductory teacher. I wanted to learn something more anyway and it turned out that the diploma was really important if you want to start working in part-time art education. So it was actually a logical choice.

Sterre: We have just started the course "Arts Participation and Diversity". Everyone has been divided into groups in which we have chosen a theme ourselves, and then we have to teach the other groups about this specific topic. In our group, for example, it is specifically about children who are in the autism spectrum. In this way, we learn about the different topics, but at the same time we also learn from each other.

Nicolas: In my case, specific course didactics, simply because this is closest to my work as a guitar teacher. In a short time, I have been able to draw a lot of material from these lessons and apply it immediately in practice. A distinction is also made between an instrument and making music in a group.

Emanuel: I agree with Nicolas, also because the teacher of this subject is really good. He is a jazz musician himself and with him I could really elaborate on subjects that I found interesting. Nicolas and I often only had lessons just with the two of us, so there was a very personal and close contact.

Emanuel: This question also depends a bit on the context. Personally, I would have liked to have had a lot more practical lessons and workshops, but of course that wasn't always possible because we often had to take lessons from a distance. But of course, we never experienced the programme in normal circumstances, so it is difficult to make a judgement on that.  

Sterre: You do feel what the intention of the programme is, how it should be. But unfortunately, there are many things that had to be cancelled or dealt with in a different way. 
On the other hand, I am positively surprised by the personal aspect. The RITCS atmosphere and the close contact with the teachers are still very much ingrained in the Educational Master's, which I had not immediately expected. It still feels like the RITCS.  

Emanuel: They really do take into account each individual student. And while in your bachelor's you may have to take more compulsory courses, here you can already determine your own trajectory.

Would you like to know more about the RITCS and KCB Educational Programmes?
Go to this page, or come visit us during an info moment!