Tjerk Ridder (Utrecht, 1973) has been studying at the Theatre Academies of both Amsterdam (theatre technic) and Utrecht (actors study). He studied modern dance with Wies Merkx and tap-dance with Peter Kuit. From his young age he has been playing the guitar and followed drummung and singing lessons.He is interested in combining different disciplines, like music and dance/movement with acting and is looking for different ways of communication and researching the 'reality'. He can be most inspired by animals. Since 1998 he is working for Art in Rhythm, an organisation which organizes seminars on rhythm and percussion in Holland and abroad.