Vivienne Aerts

Vivienne Aerts is an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music, affiliated with the Berklee Effortless Mastery Institute. She is a Dutch vocalist, composer, conductor, and educator based in New York City, integrating music, psychology, and multisensory experiences in her academic and artistic work.

Her educational background includes a Fulbright scholarship at Berklee College of Music, where she studied with Danilo Pérez, Joe Lovano, and John Patitucci. She also holds a bachelor's and master's degree in clinical psychology from Europe, where she previously worked as a psychologist and choir conductor.

Aerts' research and creative interests focus on music education, improvisation, mental well-being in performers, and interdisciplinary art. She emphasizes the Effortless Mastery philosophy to help students reconnect with their inner voice and perform with freedom and joy. Her work blends jazz, electronica, classical, and a cappella elements into ethereal, empowering compositions.

Her recent artistic outputs, including the albums Typuhthâng, Current, and Roofgarden, reflect a deep engagement with themes of water, sustainability, female empowerment, and multisensory storytelling. These projects often integrate visual art, dance, culinary experiences, and environmental activism.

Her scientific and artistic recognition includes:

• Fulbright Scholarship (2012)
• Co Verhoog Prize (2011)
• Zoetermeer Jazz Award (2010)
• SENA music production grant (2020)
• Netherland-America Foundation Cultural Grant (2021)

Aerts mentors students through experiential learning and performance-based teaching. She has received grant funding for her projects and is a voting member of the Grammy Recording Academy. Her work bridges academia, performance, and social impact, fostering healthier, more creative artists.

She leads the interdisciplinary collective Vervool with her husband, a pastry chef, creating immersive events that combine jazz, haute cuisine, and modern art. These performances have been featured at museums, international festivals, and television, showcasing her innovative approach to artistic collaboration.