From a young age, Joep developed a love for theater in all its many forms. This resulted in years of singing lessons, acting lessons, and stage experience varying from local amateur productions to professional national musical productions. 

​

In 2015 Joep moved to Amsterdam to start his Bachelor in Theatre Studies at the University of Amsterdam. From the very start of the studies, Joep felt an urge to focus within the boundaries of the curriculum on opera and musical theater for research cases. In 2019 Joep graduated with his thesis on American Verismo and Bernstein’s 'A Quiet Place’. He continued studying at the UvA with a master's in Theatre Studies, from which he graduated in March 2021. In his master's studies, he got the opportunity to fully focus on opera in his curriculum. This resulted in a thesis on Brecht & Weill’s Mahagonny opera and Brecht’s idea of ‘culinary theatre’.

​

Next to his studies, Joep gained experience in theatre through several internships and jobs varying from Assistant Director to Programmer & Marketing within various companies. Next to several artistic internships at Opera Zuid, Joep became involved with Opera Zuid as their Surtitles Operator since autumn 2018. Another opportunity was offered to Joep from the University of Amsterdam, to join the talent teams of young creators, which are part of the Dutch National Opera’s ‘Opera Forward Festival’. The created short opera ‘IDIOSYNCRATIC’ for which Joep wrote the libretto and was a dramaturg got unfortunately canceled due to covid-19 restrictions.

​

In September 2020 Joep started as Dramaturg & Assistant Producer at Opera Zuid. He worked with the company before as an intern director’s assistant and assistant dramaturg. After graduating with a Master of Arts in March 2021, Joep joined the company full time.