Femke Ylstra plays Pulp Fiction

Femke Ylstra, saxophone
North Netherlands Orchestra
conductor: Frans Aert Burghgraef
Estate Lauswolt, The Netherlands


Femke Ylstra is one of the most success-full saxophonists of her generation.
Public, jury and press are impressed by her versatility and expressiveness.
She gave concerts in the USA, Canada, South America, Asia and in all of Europe.

“Femke Ylstra played with a refined musical depth and embattled elegance”
Wonderful on the alto saxophone, gracefully provoked and engaged a distinct timbre, with melodious phrasing that resulted in unforgettable resonance.” (Bachtrack 15-5-2016)

“Femke is truly a ambassador for her instrument, with absolute conviction and technical perfection she convinces herself and audience for her music.” (jury Frisian Emmy 15-12-15)

Ylstra finished her masters degree 'cum laude' with Arno Bornkamp in Amsterdam.
She followed lessons by Claude Delangle, Jean-Marie Londeix,
Eugene Rousseau and many others. She won several national and international prizes and auditions.

Femke plays on a regularly basis with world's leading orchestras like the
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Rotterdam Philharmonic,
Budapest Festival Orchestra and the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich.

She plays recitals all over the world with her pianist and made solo-appearances with Magogo String Orchestra, L'opera Tuolon under the baton of Jurjen Hempel, The North Netherlands Orchestra under the baton of Dirk Brosse and Frans-Aert Burghgraef. Serveral Dutch composers have written for Femke, like Jacob TV, Bernard van Beurden, Richard Rijnvos and Douwe Easing.

Femke Ylstra is one of the youngest female professors in Europe, holding this position from when she was 29 years old. She teaching saxophone at the Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen, in The Netherlands.

Femke loves chamber music: she is founder of the young Syrène Saxophone Quartet, and played soprano saxophone in the renowned Aurelia Saxophone Quartet.