1 on 1: The Art of the Hustle
Building Stability in a Freelance Music World
A practical guide from someone who’s actually done it
Wednesday 22 October, 2025
13:30 - 14:15
Mossel & Gin - ADE Lab Village
Gosschalklaan 12, 1014 DC Amsterdam, Netherlands
In today’s music world, more and more people are building careers outside of traditional full-time roles. For many, that means freelancing, which can be exciting and freeing, but also comes with its own set of challenges.
In The Art of the Hustle: Building Stability in a Freelance Music World we sit down with an expert who’s lived it, and tackle the questions freelancers face every day. From juggling multiple jobs and setting your rates, to finding clients, building your name, and protecting your boundaries, this session dives into what it really takes to create stability while working for yourself in music.
Whether you’re already freelancing or just starting out, this session is designed as a practical guide for anyone navigating freelance life in the music industry. Bring your questions, take notes, and walk away with insights you can start using immediately.
*must have an ADE Lab pass to attend
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Dieuwertje Heuvelings
Head of AEMA @ Consevatorium van Amsterdam, and Programmer @ Down The Rabbit Hole
Dieuwertje Heuvelings is Head of the Electronic Music Department (AEMA) at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and works as a freelance programmer for the Down The Rabbit Hole festival.
She has broad experience across both the creative and business sides of the music industry. She worked at MassiveMusic as an A&R, served as a playlist editor at Spotify, and was Senior Director A&R & Marketing at Arista Records (Sony Music) in New York. As a freelancer, she also worked as a project manager at Dutch Music Export, a writer at de Volkskrant, and a playlist editor at FUGA. In addition, she has developed numerous panels, programs, and podcasts on music and on building a fairer, more inclusive industry.
Her debut novel Auxiety (2020), which explores the rise of Dutch hip-hop in the streaming era, reflects her long-standing engagement with the intersections of culture, technology, and the music business.