Mayte Veenstra: “Here, you can start small and build it up into something big.”

From Amsterdam to Friesland, from childhood dreams to her own music. At the age of eight, Mayte moved from Amsterdam to Friesland. Here, in the vast Frisian countryside, she found the space to experiment, to dare to fail and to pick herself up again. She sings in Frisian, writes from the heart, and shows how small steps can grow into something big.

Testimonials

Mayte Veenstra released her first EP on 16 April, but her journey as an artist began much earlier. At the age of eight, Mayte moved from Amsterdam to Friesland, and ever since she has remained in the province that has given her so much. A new city, new people, a blank canvas. “Friesland feels like home. It’s the place where I began to discover myself as an artist.”

Mayte has been involved in theatre, singing and dancing since she was a child, but she has recently started making her own music as well. And it’s going well: “Since I started making my own music, I’ve felt more and more at home. I play in both a band and a duo, and things are going really well." Although Friesland has a relatively smaller cultural and music scene, Mayte doesn’t feel held back there. "In fact, here I’m given the space to develop myself."

A place where you’ll be noticed in no time

In a world where creative minds often get lost in the crowd, Friesland offered Mayte the space to be seen and appreciated for who she is. Friesland is known for its ‘mienskip’, the sense of community you feel the moment you arrive in the province. “I feel that mienskip very strongly here. Because the creative scene is small, you soon get to know everyone, but that’s precisely what makes it so close-knit. As a newcomer, I was given a really warm welcome, which I hadn’t expected. I performed at local events, where I was given the space to experiment, and as a result, people are finding their way to me more and more often.” This applies not only to the music, but also to Frisian culture as a whole. “Even in my village, with just 30 inhabitants, I feel that sense of connection. Everyone knows each other.”

Performances at Podium Explore and local events meant that more and more people began to recognise her name. Not because she needed to stand out from the crowd, but precisely because her work resonated in the hearts of those who listened to her. Not just applause, but a genuine connection. People who feel her work, who listen and are moved by it. That feeling motivated her to carry on.

Language as a source of strength

Mayte decided to start writing in Frisian, something that felt very natural to her. Honest, intimate, and it gives her music a unique flavour. "It started as an experiment, but when I wrote in Frisian, it just felt more honest. It fits well with who I am." Although not everyone understands Frisian, she finds that people actually find it interesting. "People who don’t speak the language find it mysterious and special. They feel something, even if they don’t fully understand the lyrics."

For Mayte, the power of the Frisian language is a key element in her music. "I developed a love for Frisian through my time in the theatre. It feels like my mother tongue, and that comes across in my music."

That recognition came her way: in 2025, Mayte won the Kleine Prijs van Friesland and the Frisian song contest Liet with her indie act, also taking home the prize for best lyrics. This brought her music to the attention of a wide audience as well as people within the Frisian music scene.

"Here, you can start small and build it into something big."

A springboard for young creators

Mayte doesn’t see Friesland as an obstacle, but rather as a springboard for young creators. “There’s so much scope for creativity in Friesland. There are numerous development programmes and initiatives that help you create your work. For example, I started with the Popfabriek, an organisation that helps young musicians develop their work." For Mayte, this support has led to her first major achievements, including her EP. "In Friesland, you get the chance to create your work without immediately ending up in the hustle and bustle of the big city."

For Mayte, Friesland is the starting point of her musical journey, but her ambitions extend further. She wants to share her music not only in Friesland, but also internationally. "We’ve already played in Germany, and I’ll be performing in Norway soon. My mission is to take Frisian music beyond the province, but it will always remain my home base."

Mayte has only just started, but her enthusiasm and drive are clear to see. "Friesland has helped me discover who I am as an artist. It has given me the space to grow, and that is something I cherish."

For Mayte, it’s crystal clear: Friesland is a place that gives young creators the breathing space they need. Here, you can experiment without constant pressure, you can make mistakes and learn from them, and yet always fall back on a community that supports you. The landscape, the small towns and villages, the lakes and meadows – everything exudes a sense of freedom that inspires creative minds to explore new ideas. It is an environment where talents can flourish, where you can try out projects, and where those first small successes can eventually grow into breakthroughs that attract attention even beyond the province.

"Friesland has always been my home base. It’s where I started out, and now I want to share this music with the world. My mission is to take Frisian music beyond the province, to show what’s happening here."

She has a clear message for young people who are unsure whether to stay in Friesland or move here: “Friesland offers so many opportunities that you might not spot straight away. You don’t have to move to the Randstad to achieve something great; you can start here, grow and forge your own path. It’s peaceful enough to really discover and develop yourself, but at the same time there’s a network of support and guidance to help you make your dreams come true.”