Judith Steenbrink grew up in a musical family where Renaissance choral music formed the heart of daily life. She studied baroque violin with leading early music specialists Alda Stuurop and Lucy van Dael, after which she toured internationally with ensembles such as the European Union Baroque Orchestra, Concerto Copenhagen, Cantus Cölln, and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.

From 2014 to 2022, she was first violinist with Christina Pluhar’s ensemble L’Arpeggiata, performing on major international stages. As concertmaster, she has appeared with ensembles including Lyra (USA), the Residentie Orkest, and Phion.

In 2006, together with her twin sister Tineke Steenbrink, she founded Holland Baroque, an ensemble known for its innovative programming and artistic collaborations. As co-artistic director and concertmaster, Judith has created groundbreaking projects such as The Birth of Gospel (with the London Community Gospel Choir), Silk Baroque (with Wu Wei), Minne (with the Bastarda Trio), and Carnival Baroque (with Jeanine De Bique).

For Holland Baroque’s projects, Judith composes and arranges music together with her sister Tineke, resulting in tailor-made programs that bring out the unique character of both ensemble and soloist.

In 2023, she composed the film score for Metamorphosis by filmmaker Pim Zwiers, and in 2025, the album Dialogos was released, featuring her own compositions alongside her orchestrations of works by other composers.

In 2022, Judith founded the Batenburg Baroque Festival, an annual summer event where music of all genres and styles comes together in beautiful historical locations.

Judith Steenbrink believes that the power of baroque music lies in its ability to express emotions that are universal. Baroque is now.

She performs on a violin built in 1622 in Cremona by the Amati brothers:

“It’s extraordinary; this instrument knows the path to the repertoire; it was there when this music was first played. I simply follow where it leads me.”