Coordinator spotlight: Jesper Asp

IRC and communicator at Syddansk Musikkonservatorium (SDMK) - Danish National Academy of Music (Odense/Esbjerg)

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I hold a master's degree in linguistics from Aarhus University with a minor in semiotics, rhetoric and communication. Privately, I live with my wife and two daughters on the sandy island of Fanø - a 12 min. ferry ride from Esbjerg.

WHAT IS YOUR PATH TO THE CURRENT POSITION?
With a background in language and communication - and with a strong interest in music (I'm self taught, so shoot me!!) - I originally got the position as communicator at the conservatory in Esbjerg but soon also took over the "international stuff". In 2010 some of the Danish cultural HEIs merged. This is where Odense and Esbjerg became one administrative unit and my 'jurisdiction' grew. These days we have a total of 260 study places and offer a wide variety of music educations. When I'm not dealing with international relations I'm busy doing internal and external communication or teaching our students how to deal with the communicative aspects of being a cultural entrepreneur.

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION IN YOUR JOB?
To me it's a blessing being employed in a rather small institution as I love the variety of my daily tasks (writing, fundraising, teaching, SoMe, photography, strategic planning/development, layout, project management, etc.). However, I guess it's also a curse not being able to immerse oneself in a specific matter. Overall, I'd like to think that by educating musicians and help facilitating their dreams, I make my own little contribution to make this world a better place.