A fierce advocate of contemporary music, Sonja has performed with world-renowned artists such as the All-star ensemble Bang on a Can, Asko|Schönberg and Temko. Her professional drive and attitude have resulted in collaborations with various composers including Michael Jarrell, Katharina Rosenberger, Manuela Kerer, Anthony Fiumara, Aart Strootmans among others. Sonja has performed in the premiers of chamber, orchestral and operatic settings, including the dutch young talent opera „Het spel“, “Sekitei” by Ryo Noda and more. For Sonja, the fascinating thing about contemporary music is the whole process of creating it. From the collaboration with the composers to talk to them about the music to letting their thoughts resound through the sounds of the saxophone and bringing the music of today closer to the audience.

As a chamber musician, Sonja played together with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Fontys Saxophone Ensemble for the dutch royal family. Her infectious passion for chamber music and transdisciplinary performances led her everywhere, from the Concertgebouw, National Opera Amsterdam, Brucknerhaus Linz, “Bunker H” Bolzano among other alternative venues of performance to playing at festivals like the Bosch Parade, Oranjewoud Festival, Festival Classique, Theaterboulevard, Opera Forward Festival, Grachtenfestival and Alpen Classica Festival. Being a versatile musician, she collaborated with various circus artists, actors and dancers and performed in transdisciplinary performances as a saxophonist.

Sonja is a Newzik ambassador, winner of the Junior Grachtenfestival Pitch 2017 and nominee of the Jacques de Leuw Price 2020. She studied in the Netherlands at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts Tilburg under the direction of Ties Mellema, Niels Bijl and Juana Palop, in Switzerland at the Zurich University of the Arts in the class of Lars Mlekusch and in Vienna at the University of Music and Performing Arts with Alvaro Collao Leon. Further studies included the Bad Homburg Masterclass in Germany, the Barcelona Modern Festival in Spain and more, with world-renowned saxophonists such as Claude Delangle, Arno Bornkamp, Jean-Denis Michat, John Sampen, Christian Wirth, Pawel Gusnar, Ryo Noda, Russel Peterson, Joan Marti Frasquier and others.

In addition to her musical activities, she is also active in cultural management, having completed a master’s degree in sports, culture and event management. Sonja is also passionate about personal lifestyle development through mindfulness, nutrition, exercise and mental training. This leads to her interest in holistic body & mind performance. She holds a certificate in Performing Arts Medicine from the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).