Born in the Dutch town of
Velsen, from the age of nine she received piano lessons, both classical and jazz. In 1993, she entered the Rotterdam Conservatory (
Codarts) where she studied composition under
Klaas de Vries,
Peter-Jan Wagemans ánd René Uijlenhoet, graduating cum laude in 1999. Notable works include
String quartet (2000) recorded and performed by the Doelenkwartet.
Pra (2003) for orchestra and soprano was performed by Monique Krüs and
Het Gelders Orkest conducted by Hans Leenders.
Strijklicht (2007) for stringorchestra, was performed by the Het Rotterdams Kamerorkest conducted by Conrad van Alphen. Her piano composition
Apen en Beer (Ape and Bear) with a piece for each letter in the alphabet was published in 2009. The work was premiered in
Rotterdam in December 2009 when 30 young pianists performed the items on different animals. In 2011, her chamberopera
The Reclining Woman, based on sculptures by
Henry Moore, was performed by Muziektheater de Helling in cooperation with the ensemble Nieuw Amsterdams Peil. October 2015, the
Asko/Schönberg ensemble, conducted by
Reinbert de Leeuw, performed
Die Klage um Linos, for ensemble and countertenor. In 2017, together with mezzo-soprano Antje Lohse, Stichting Knars and the
Kröller-Müller Museum, she created the theatrical concert
Menschen-Worte with poems of poet and visual artist
Hans Arp. Over the years, in addition to work commissioned by orchestra, choir, ensembles and individual musicians, she has composed for the theatre and for children. Her children's opera
Fietsen (Cycling), based on a book by Gregie de Maeyer, was performed at
Antwerp's Het Paleis in 1999. In 2009, young actors/singers of the Bürgerhaus Weserterrassen in
Bremen, together with the Lithuanian Youthorchestra, performed
Schwarz wie Tinte, based on the book Zwart als inkt (1998) by the Dutch writer and visual artist
Wim Hofman. Astrid Kruisselbrink lives in
Gouda with her husband and two sons. ==References==