Elles Venhuizen
Soprano
Soprano Elles Venhuizen graduated in 2025 with distinction (9.5) from the Master of Music programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she studied with Selma Harkink and received coaching from Roberta Alexander, Ira Siff, and Alexander Oliver.
This season, Elles will perform the role of Yniold in Impressions de Pelléas, a co-production of the Dutch National Opera and the Dutch Touring Opera, and Lady Harriet in von Flotow’s Martha (WOK Music Theatre).
Recent highlights include her performances of Le Rossignol and Le Feu in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges under the direction of conductor Ed Spanjaard; her debut as Zerbinetta in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in Berlin; touring with Dutch National Opera as part of the ensemble in Dido and Aeneas; her role as Bibi in Ellen Reid’s p r i s m at the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam; and her portrayal of Despina (Così fan tutte) and Blondchen (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) during the summers of 2024 and 2025. In 2025, she won the Critics’ Prize at the Niccolò van Westerhout Competition in Italy, followed in 2026 by the Miluška Duffková Prize for promising young talent in Amsterdam. Elles currently sings as a project singer with the chorus of Dutch National Opera.
Prior to her master’s studies, Elles graduated from the ArtEZ Conservatorium in Zwolle, where she studied with Claudia Patacca and received the highest technical assessment, Outstanding. During her bachelor’s degree, she spent a semester in Italy, performing in Rome and L’Aquila. During this time Elles also performed in the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, sang in Handel’s Giulio Cesare with the Dutch Touring Opera, and performed numerous solo roles in oratorios. In 2022, she won the Northern Audience Prize at the Princess Christina Competition.
In the field of art song, Elles has been collaborating since 2026 with pianist Katie Yao Morgan. Together, they present recital programmes with a focus on songs by female composers.
Elles is fluent in Dutch, English, and German, and has a B1 level of Italian.
Elles speaks Dutch, English, German, and intermediate Italian.
Graduated with a grade of 9,5 from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Master of Music, 2025).
In Amsterdam, Elles gives singing lessons to the selection students of Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam.
Recent highlights:
debut as Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos) in Berlin and performances at the Royal Concertgebouw and Dutch National Opera.