NIGHTWISH's FLOOR JANSEN Stresses Importance Of Music Education

NIGHTWISH frontwoman Floor Jansen has stressed the importance of music education, saying that her "dedication at school" allowed her to become "more confident" in herself.

Earlier today, the Dutch singer tweeted: "If I hadn't had passionate music teachers in my high school, I might never have started singing. I was the bullied, insecure kid who dreamt of singing without knowing that I had a voice for it.

"Because of my dedication at school I dared to crawl out of my shell and started to sing! I became more confident of myself and made friends and was forever in love with music.

"Nothing is as wonderful and honest as making music together. Nothing connects as music can. Music education is therefore very important for many reasons."

Jansen will embark on a short solo tour of the Netherlands in January 2020. During the trek, she will perform songs that she originally sang during her recent appearance on the Dutch reality TV show "Beste Zangers" ("Best Singers"),as well as select tracks from her career.

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon.

Jansen officially joined NIGHTWISH in 2013 and made her recording debut with the group on 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" album.

Earlier this year, when Jansen announced her participation in "Beste Zangers", she said: "This show is all about music and singing and despite the name, has nothing to do with whom is best. Seven singers participate and we will sing each other's music, but in our own style.

"I think it is great they asked me, as a metalhead, to be a part of this. As you might know about me, I think it is a pity that mainstream media in The Netherlands has avoided 'our music' for years and years. The 'stigma' metal makes that many great songs will never be heard by a larger audience.

"As an ambassador of good music, I think that everyone should have access to more diverse music, and then it is up to the listeners to decide whether they like it or not. This choice is not offered nowadays. Us metalheads know well what 'they' miss out on and because of this TV show I get a chance to share good music. I will also get challenged to dive into the genres and styles of the other singers, as they will be when they sing my music.

"I have always enjoyed diversity and I get a great opportunity to show this."

Last month, NIGHTWISH filmed the first music video for its forthcoming studio album. The disc is not expected to arrive before next spring.