Merel Ritz (34) is a soprano. At the age of seven she sang her first Mattheus Passion with the ‘boy’s choir’ Cathedral Chorus Utrecht. After an education at the dancing school Maria Moore Academie in Amsterdam she took singing lessons at the conservatorium in Utrecht, among others from Hebe Dijkstra. She then continued her education at the conservatorium in Alkmaar (1995 certificate solo singing). Some of the roles she performed were Faustine in the opera ‘Die Fledermaus’ (Strauss), Yvette in the musical ‘Miss Saigon’ (Schönberg), and of lady-in-waiting in the opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’ (Purcell). As soloist she has sung the Johannes Passion, several Bach cantata's. Masses by Mozart and works by Sigurbjörnsson. In 1998 she sang in the music theatre production ‘De Tijdaffaire’ (‘The Time Affaire’) and had a CD recorded with the same company. She took several mastercourses, from musicians like Barbara Schlick. She gives concerts with guitarist Hans de Weerd, and also with her own ensemble ‘Pur Sang’, together with pianist Pieter Koning and violinist Tatien van Herpen.

Summary of her 12xHolland activities:

• rehearse en perform with children in Hirado her own musical, called ‘The Magic Pearl’. She'll make use of elements like Japanese songs, dance and a simple production. It will be accompanied by the Hirado music ensemble Wind Ago.
• teaching singing lessons to amateur singers.
• performing concerts among others with lute. Program themes: ‘Birds in Love’ and ‘Japan & Europe’.
• mini-concerts at the 12xCorner, in the hospital, and the home for the elderly, with Japanese and other songs.
• she will take nichibu (Japanese dance) lessons.