Education
Since the time of his own conservatoire studies, Tienstra has taught students of all ages, preparing a wide range of performers for further studies.
Besides a private practice (piano, theory, solfege, composition and preparing students for conservatoire admission), Tienstra teaches at the Gregoriaanse Kring in Amsterdam. In 2023 he assisted the students of Utrecht University and its Library with research on the Utrecht Pontificale.
Tienstra is a sought-after speaker aiming to inspire new generations of performers and researchers. Next to regular guest lectures, he has lectured, taught and performed at the International Summer and Winter Courses on Gregorian Chant in Essen-Werden, the International Summer Course on Gregorian Chant in The Hague, the Festival of Gregorian Chant in Den Bosch and the 'Days of Gregorian Chant' (Utrecht, Franeker).
He has taught Solfege, Music Theory and Harmony at Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam (formerly Nieuw Amsterdams Kinderkoor), at the Kleynkoor Academy Noordwijk and at Haarlem Cathedral School, and worked with theatre groups Illustere Figuren, Aan Zee Theaterproducties, Louis Bouwmeester, Eglentier and Yo! Opera.
De Oude Muziek Podcast
Radio 4 interview (in Dutch) with Ab Nieuwdorp on Gregorian Chant.
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Projects & methods
In relation to his teaching activities, Tienstra participated in a number of educational projects and methods. These include the Dutch children's operas Kinderen van de Zaan in the Zaans Museum (2013; see the video) and Help, mijn stem is weg! (2017); contributions to the Nachtegaal method for solfege; a method of (classical) Harmony for the advanced students of Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam; lessons in Gregorian chant for children for the Cathedral School St Bavo, and a curriculum of Music (including Solfege exercises and tests) for the aforementioned school.
For the productions of Mahler's Eighth Symphony, Britten's Saint Nicholas and Bach's Matthäus-Passion, Tienstra created scores especially usable by children.
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Historic guide
In line with his work as a teacher and workshop leader, Tienstra is also active as a historic guide, either in his home town Noordwijk, throughout the Netherlands, or abroad in 'culture trips' in Belgium, Germany, Ireland or Italy. The video shows such a trip made with the Kleynkoor Noordwijk to Venice.
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Annie M.G. Schmidt
The pupils from Haarlem Cathedral School (groups 5-6) performing theatrical songs on texts by the famous Dutch writer Annie M.G. Schmidt, with their music teacher Rens behind piano.