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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
The European Performing Arts Students' Association (EPASA) originated from the AEC Student Working Group (SWG), which was a core component of the "AEC-SMS: Strengthening Music in Society" project (2017–2021), co-funded by the Creative Europe programme.
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.
At 2021 AEC’s Annual Congress, Mimi Harmer (Co-Chair of the AEC Student Working Group) formally announced the founding of the European Performing Arts Students’ Association: EPASA.
This newly created association is the result of a multiyear work of the Student Working Group which was formed during the FULL SCORE project and continued to function within SMS. 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. In 2021, the final year of the SMS project, the group focused on formalising the network by founding a student association.
Announcing EPASA
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.
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.
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