Since 2003 Mr. Harrie van den Elsen is Director of Maastricht Academy of Music, part of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. Since 2009 he was also the project leader of Quartier des Arts. This is an innovative project for Art Education by Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Art and Social Sciences at Maastricht University. He is also chairman of the Dutch Music Network (an association of Dutch Academies of Music).

Harrie van den Elsen studied Piano, Music Theory and Chamber Music at a.o. the Maastricht Academy of Music. After graduating, he was a teacher of music theory, chamber music, and music of the 20th century, and head of the classical department of Maastricht Academy of Music.