Michel van der Aa

Michel van der Aa, born on 10 March 1970 in Oss, is a distinguished Dutch contemporary classical music composer. Van der Aa is known for his work in integrating music with multimedia elements, incorporating film and sampled soundtracks. He studied recording engineering at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and composition under influential teachers like Diderik Wagenaar, Gilius van Bergeijk, and Louis Andriessen. His innovative operas, particularly 'One' and 'After Life', and works such as 'The Book of Disquiet', have garnered international acclaim. In addition to composing, van der Aa took a program in film directing at the New York Film Academy (2002) and stage direction at the Lincoln Center Theater Director's Lab (2007).