President

Jesse Boere

Jesse Boere (Netherlands/UAE) is a globally engaged music professional and policy strategist from the Netherlands with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of culture, education, and public policy. Active in international music organizations and networks since the early 2010s, he has contributed to governance, project development, grant writing, institutional reform, and youth participation, developing strong expertise in cultural policy and administration.

Based in Abu Dhabi for over a decade, Boere serves as Instructor of Music at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), working within one of the world’s most diverse academic communities. His academic work engages questions of music, culture, and education in global contexts, alongside broader interests in cultural policy and institutional practice. His leadership is informed by both institutional experience and active artistic practice.

Boere has been closely engaged with the International Music Council for more than ten years. From 2015 to 2019, he served on IMC’s Executive Board, following earlier involvement in the EU-funded project Make Music! Be Heard! (2013–2014), which strengthened youth participation in music networks and led to the creation of IMC Youth. During his board tenure, he contributed to strategic planning, organizational reform efforts, and the organization of major international convenings, including the IMC’s 70th Anniversary World Forum on Music in Paris. His ongoing collaboration with IMC has most recently been reflected in his support of the 2024 UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education in Abu Dhabi.

As President of the International Music Council, Boere brings long-standing institutional knowledge alongside a commitment to stewardship, renewal, and global inclusivity. His leadership focuses on strengthening governance, supporting IMC’s network of networks, and ensuring the organization’s long-term capacity to advance cultural rights and meaningful musical participation amid ongoing global change.