Esther Hart

Early Life and Musical Education

Esther Hart was born as Esther Katinka Hartkamp on 3 June 1970 in Epe, Netherlands. At around ten years old, she sang in a children’s choir in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. By age fourteen, Hart was already performing as the singer of a local band called “Release”. Her talent and dedication led her to formal music training. At 18, she was admitted to the Conservatory of Rotterdam to study voice in the light music (pop) program. She graduated cum laude in 1994 as a qualified performing and teaching musician. This strong musical education laid the foundation for her future career.

Early Career and International Breakthrough

While still studying, Esther Hart began performing extensively. She appeared in many venues and even independently released a CD of her own music during the mid-1990s. Around that time, she joined the group “D-Wys and the Voices of Soul,” with whom she performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and on Dutch television (Sesjun). Hart also did prolific studio work – she recorded jingles and sang backing vocals for several Disney films. At one point, she was giving around 120 live performances per year.

Hart’s early career wasn’t limited to the Netherlands. She developed an international profile as a singer, especially in the United Kingdom. She signed with an English record company and released several dance singles there. One of her dance tracks, “Ain’t No Lies,” became a club hit and reached number 8 on the UK dance charts. Another song of hers, “Don’t Be Afraid,” was featured on the soundtrack of an American film called Fakin’ da Funk. These successes abroad gave her exposure beyond the Dutch music market and set the stage for the next big step in her career.

Eurovision Song Contest 2003 – “One More Night” in Riga

In 2003, Esther Hart gained widespread fame by representing the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 in Riga. Her journey to Eurovision was unique. She initially entered the UK’s national selection (BBC’s A Song for Europe) with a song titled “Wait for the Moment.” However, she withdrew from the British contest when she advanced in the Dutch selection, as competing for two countries was not permitted. Instead, Hart took part in the Nationaal Songfestival 2003, the Dutch preselection competition, and won with the pop song “One More Night.” This victory earned her the ticket to represent the Netherlands in Riga.

At Eurovision, Hart delivered a strong performance of “One More Night” on the international stage. She finished in 13th place in the final ranking out of 26 entries. Although she didn’t win the contest, she did receive special recognition. Esther Hart was honored with a Marcel Bezençon Award: the Artistic Award (also referred to as the Best Artistic Performance award) for her Eurovision performance. This award, given by Eurovision experts, highlighted the quality of her live singing and stage presentation.

The following year, she stayed involved with Eurovision by serving as the Dutch spokesperson who announced the country’s voting results on live TV (a role she fulfilled in 2004, and again a few years later in 2008).

Music Career After Eurovision

After Eurovision 2003, Esther Hart continued to build her music career. Later in 2003 she released her debut solo album, aptly titled Straight from the Hart, which featured a collection of pop songs. In the years that followed, she remained an active performer. Hart toured the Netherlands with her own musical groups, including a jazz-pop trio called “Play Me a Memory” and a band named “She’s a Rebel,” a tribute project celebrating great female pop singers. These projects kept her connected with live audiences and showcased her versatility across musical styles.

Esther Hart also explored musical theatre and special concert productions. In the 2005–2006 theater season, she starred in “Queen in Concert,” a live stage production featuring the music of Queen, performed in collaboration with the Orchestra of the Dutch Royal Air Force. She later joined the same orchestra for two additional themed concert tours: Stars for Planet Earth in 2012 and 100 Years of Military Aviation in 2013–2014.

Hart further expanded her stage repertoire by taking on an acting role in a classic musical. She played the good witch Glinda in a Dutch production of the musical “The Wiz”, showing her talent as both a singer and an actress on stage. Throughout these years, she also lent her voice to other creative works – for example, she worked as a voice actress in children’s television programs and sang in background choirs for Disney animated films. This variety of post-Eurovision work demonstrated Hart’s range as an entertainer.

Vocal Coaching and Television Work

By the late 2000s, Esther Hart became well known not just as a performer but also as a mentor. She has been a vocal coach on several Dutch television shows and talent competitions. Notably, she served as a vocal coach for “Popstars: The Rivals,” a TV singing competition, and for the Junior Songfestival, which is the Dutch contest to select the country’s entry for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. She also worked on the TV show Who Will Become Tarzan?, training contestants competing to play Tarzan in a stage musical. In addition to coaching on TV, Hart has been the personal vocal coach for a number of well-known Dutch pop artists, including singer Marco Borsato. Her expertise and friendly guidance have made her a sought-after mentor for aspiring singers.

Hart’s television appearances have extended beyond coaching. She has sat on the jury for televised talent shows as well. For example, she was a juror on the National Songfestival (the Dutch Eurovision selection show, in editions after her own participation) and on the celebrity duet competition “Just the Two of Us”. 

Mentoring Young Singers and Teaching

Esther Hart has a passion for working with young and upcoming singers. Alongside her media work, she has taught singing at various music schools in the Netherlands. She emphasizes solid vocal technique in her teaching, helping students develop strong and healthy singing habits. For years, Hart was a instructor at the Fontys Rock Academy in Tilburg, training the next generation of pop vocalists. More recently, she became a singing teacher at the ArtEZ Pop Academy in Enschede, where she continues to mentor young talents in contemporary music. Many of these students and contestants value her real-world experience in the music industry. Hart’s dedication to education ensures that her knowledge is passed on, and it reflects her generous support for youth in music.

“J’aime La Vlie” Eurovision Festival on Vlieland

In addition to coaching and performing, Esther Hart plays=ed a role in keeping the Eurovision spirit alive in the Netherlands. From 2017-2023, she has been involved in organizing an event called “J’aime La Vlie.” It was a Eurovision-themed festival held on the small Dutch island of Vlieland. The name is a playful reference to a famous Eurovision song (“J’aime la vie”) combined with “Vlie” from Vlieland. At this annual event, Eurovision enthusiasts and former contestants came together for a weekend of music and celebration. Hart served as a host and coordinator, welcoming Eurovision fans and performers from various countries.