It all began with a leap of faith in picturesque Zwartsluis. As a teenager, without any drumming experience, he joined his two brothers’ band simply because they needed a drummer. Where others might hesitate, he thought: I can do that. Two weeks later, he was already on stage for his very first performance — a moment that proved to be the starting point of a musical journey that would only accelerate.
From that point on, he developed at a rapid pace. He played with the Meander Big Band, where he further refined his sense of timing, dynamics, and interplay. He even toured abroad with this band, an experience that significantly broadened his musical horizons. At the same time, he immersed himself in classical percussion with the Vuurvogel, where he again made several international trips and discovered another side of his musicality.
His ambition led him to the preparatory course in light music at the conservatory in Zwolle, after which he was admitted to the Rock Academy in Tilburg — a breeding ground for professional musical talent. There, he developed not only his technique but also his identity as a drummer: energetic, tight, and with a keen sense of showmanship and entertainment.
In addition to performing, he began passing on his knowledge as a teacher at the Yamaha Music School in Zwolle and the Apeldoorn Pop School. Here, he inspired new generations of musicians with the same conviction with which he once started himself: just do it.
He felt increasingly at home on stage, and this was also evident in the lively ‘dueling pianos’ circuit. He played at events such as PianoJam and Crazy Piano’s, where improvisation, interaction, and entertainment take center stage. Here, he grew into a versatile performer who is not only musically strong but also effortlessly knows how to captivate the audience.
Life changed again when Vera auditioned as a singer for his band EigenWeijs. What began as a musical encounter became love at first sight. Not long after, he moved to beautiful Deventer, where music and private life merged.
Today, he is the drummer for the band Bad Shoes, an energetic party tent band known for spectacular shows full of light and fire. On stage, he is the perfect combination of two worlds: the tight, reliable foundation the band can build upon, and the big joker.
From a spontaneous choice without experience to a versatile, seasoned drummer — his story proves that guts, passion, and perseverance are sometimes all you need to start something big.
