Michèle Kelder (NL)

Michèle Kelder is dedicated to breaking stigmas, encouraging raw, honest talks, and supporting mental health and addiction recovery within the electronic music scene. With a lifelong love for electronic music and an ongoing personal journey through recovery of addiction and underlying issues, she creates inclusive spaces for healing and connection in an industry known for its high-pressure environments.

Her life path is somewhat of a rollercoaster, from an early age she felt there was something off, issues that she needed to face. After trying many different approaches it became clear that using drugs and alcohol stood in the way of her healing. Even then, she did not see she had an addiction problem.
Since going to rehab in 2018, Michèle often describes going there as “The best gift I ever gave myself.” Quitting the substances cleared up her mind a which made healing the underlying issues possible. A few years later she became an addiction counsellor and, right about the same time, was inspired to organise her first event in the music industry.

Not seeing her own addiction is the reason she feels driven to spread knowledge, hold space for others and create a community where likeminded and curious can come together to connect and support each other. But it goes beyond addiction, there are almost always underlying issues.

In 2022 she organised an independent speaker panel, "How to Have a Successful Career in Music While Surviving the Nightlife" during Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). A panel of international music professionals and wellness coaches addressed mental health, addiction, recovery and spoke about the future and how to impact this in a positive way. Building on this successful event, in 2023 she launched "For the Love and Health of House". A two-day program featuring panel discussions and wellness activities aimed at promoting well-being within the electronic music community.

This year, teaming up with Multigroove, she will host her second "For Love and Health of House" event, which will include panel discussions, wellness workshops, NA-AA meetings and a sober party. Their mission is to provide professionals in the nightlife industry with the tools and support to thrive personally and professionally and via the music professionals create a ripple effect amongst their peers and ravers.

Her passion, ignited by that first event and it's evolvement, her work as a coach and connecting with friends in recovery and the music industry have shaped the vision for Loud and About, a foundation currently in development. It aims to create a community that encourages resilience and connection through various events and, ultimately, establish a dedicated space where people in the music industry can seek support when needed.

There is a lot to gain from this.

Join Michèle in her mission to make a positive impact in the world.