Dr. Michel Hogenes was born on 8 November 1970 in Purmerend, the Netherlands. He studied Electronic Organ and Music in Education at the Alkmaar Conservatory, and obtained post-HBO [university of applied sciences] certificates in Ortho(ped)agogische Muziekbeoefening, a form of Music Therapy, as well as Keyboards, and Early Childhood Music Education. After his studies, Michel worked as a music educator in special education, elementary education, and secondary education. He also taught keyboards, electronic organ and music introduction courses at a music centre and was active as the conductor of several choirs and orchestras. Currently Michel is head of the teacher education department of The Hague University of Applied Sciences. He also leads the Master of Arts Education at Codarts, Rotterdam University of the Arts, and is the conductor of Projektkoor Rijswijk [Project Choir Rijswijk]. Besides his work at both universities of applied sciences and his choral conducting, Michel is active in several organisations. He is chair of Gehrels Muziekeducatie [Gehrels Music Education]; TIG leader of the Arts Education TIG (Thematic Interest Group) which is part of the European Teacher Education Network (ETEN); board member of the European Network for Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children (EuNet MERYC); and ambassador of Meer Muziek in de Klas [More Music in the Classroom].