Gijs van der Heijden is a composer from Utrecht who completed his Master's in Composition at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague in 2023. His style is often strongly melodic, rhythmic, and dynamic, but it can also reach a timeless, relentless, meditative intensity. Gijs aims to develop a unique and personal sound through traditional, acoustic methods, frequently employing multiple simultaneous tunings. He is particularly interested in the interaction between instruments and their distinct personalities, and his work often reflects a keen sense of intuitive musical timing. In addition to the contemporary classical repertoire, Gijs draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including experimental rock and film and game soundtracks.