The European Performing Arts Students Association (EPASA) is a student-led European network representing students in music, theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary performance. It provides a space for collaboration, exchange, and collective reflection among performing arts students from diverse educational and cultural contexts.

EPASA focuses on strengthening student representation and fostering dialogue between students and institutions at a European level. Through workshops, events, and international collaborations, the association supports emerging artists in developing their artistic practice, professional awareness, and sense of agency within the performing arts sector.

A core aspect of EPASA’s work is contributing student perspectives to broader discussions on leadership, governance, and the future of arts education. In this context, EPASA has participated in initiatives such as the ELIA Leadership Symposium, where it brought forward student experiences and insights into institutional decision-making and change.

By connecting students across borders and disciplines, EPASA helps build a shared platform for exchange, critical engagement, and collective action, contributing to a more inclusive and responsive European performing arts landscape.

Origins of EPASA

Read the information on the AEC Student Working Group

In 2014, the largest European network for higher music education institutions, the AEC (European Association of Conservatoires) recognised the need to engage more formally with their primary stakeholders: students. At the Annual Congress they invited students, who used their voices to highlight relevant topics and issues. This group of students were invited to create the ‘student working group’ under the Creative Europe-funded project FULLSCORE.

In 2017, as part of the Creative Europe-funded project ‘Strengthening Music in Society’, the AEC sought funding for students to participate within the project as a dedicated student working group. Their main outcomes were to actively engage within the Strengthening Music in Society project, and to explore possibly creating an independent organisation.

The members of the Student Working Group managed to increase student presence at AEC events, connect with other students through an informal network, and they shared advice on how to start and operate a student council. During the final year of the AEC-SMS project, the Student Working Group shifted its focus toward the formal establishment of a dedicated student organization.

The goal was to create an independent, legally established association that would continue the work of the Student Working Group. Its primary objectives are to further encourage the student voice in higher performing arts education and to actively promote the interests of those students on a European level.

Announcing EPASA

In late 2021 the Co-Chair of the student working group, Miranda Harmer (UK/ITA), announced the creation of EPASA: the European Performing Arts Students’ Association in Antwerp. We aim to be the leading voice for both performing arts students and emerging artistic professionals within Europe. We believe that, for institutions to be successful, they must have a healthy partnership between staff and students. Our vision is that all institutions should have a well-functioning and supported student representation system.

Read the article

EPASA’s work includes: supporting members within their institutions, fostering and facilitating information, and connecting people.

1st EPASA Conference

The European Performing Arts Students’ Association (EPASA) hosted their first conference on the 22nd and 23rd April of 2023.

The first known conference for performing arts students to come together and discuss topics and policies that matters for us students, our colleagues, and the sector!

In the inaugural conference EPASA hosted their elections in which the first Board of the association was elected:

President: Monica Vejgaard,
Vice President: Mimi Harmer,
Secretary General: Francesco Spina,
Board members: Iveri Kekenadze and Natalie Roe.

Read more about the reflections on the conference

The first ever IN PERSON conference happened on the 25-26 May, 2024 in Ghent.

The aim of the conference was to inspire each other to develop resilience by learning from setbacks, adapting to change, and maintaining a strong sense of purpose and passion for our art. Through workshops, presentations, panels, and performances, we created a platform for mutual learning and support.

New board members were elected: Marloes De Nul & Carlo Mazzini. The now EPASA Board was became:

President: Monica Vejgaard,
Vice President: Mimi Harmer,
Board members: Iveri Kekenadze, Marloes De Nul, Carlo Mazzini and Natalie Roe.

2nd EPASA Conference

3rd EPASA Conference

EPASA Conference was held on the 8–9 November 2026 at Mozarteum. Two days of interactive sessions, open discussions, and creative labs exploring the realities, challenges and ambitions of students in the performing arts.

From the Burning Topics Panel to the Creative Problem Solving Lab, each part of the program was designed to give students a voice and foster collaboration across Europe.

A new Board of the association was elected:

President: Natalie Roe,
Vice President: Marloes De Nul,
Secretary General: Jack Mahony,
Board members: Louise Schrøder, Carlo Mazzini and Berta Homs.

Origins of EPASA

Announcing EPASA

1st EPASA Conference

2nd EPASA Conference

3rd EPASA Conference

Say hello