Merel van der Knoop is the LCK choir leader. Merel gained a Bachelors degree in solo piano from the Rotterdam Conservatoire in The Netherlands and went on to study Piano Accompaniment at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from where she graduated with a Masters in Music and a Masters in Music Performance, Guildhall Artist degree.
Merel now works as a freelance accompanist and vocal coach besides teaching singing and piano. She was Interim Head of Music at The Hall School Wimbledon from 2016 – 2017 and Interim Head of Junior Music at Wimbledon High School in Autumn 2021. Merel is also a classical artist on board P&O and Olsen cruises. Currently, she is musical director of the Long Covid Choir and the Long Covid Kids Choir.
Besides being active as a freelance musician Merel also took acting classes at Morley College and City Lit. She was part of the City Lit Rep Company that took Hamlet to the RSC Open Air Festival in Stratford upon Avon. Merel also works as a Supporting Artist for Feature films such as The Crown.
Merel got Covid in December 2021 and has been living with Long Covid ever since. She loves being able to use her musical skills to bring joyful and happy moments to children & young people living with Long Covid.
"In early 2022, I noticed there was a lack of dedicated support for children living with Long Covid. As a choir leader with experience in using music as a tool for healing, I knew the power of singing to uplift, energize, and connect people, especially those living with health challenges. The idea began to form – why not offer this same support to children with Long Covid?
In March 2022, I reached out to Long Covid Kids (LCK) via Instagram, sharing my vision for a choir that could provide both a creative outlet and a sense of community for these young people. I felt that by collaborating, we could create something special and impactful. Thankfully, the team at LCK responded enthusiastically, and it was clear that together, we could make this idea a reality.
With their support, the first session of the Long Covid Kids Choir took place in November 2022. Since then, we've been holding regular sessions, giving children the opportunity to express themselves through song, build new connections with others who understand their experiences, and, most importantly, feel supported during a challenging time in their lives.
Running these sessions has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together. The choir has become a space for children not just to sing, but to heal, to share, and to thrive despite the challenges of Long Covid."
In November 2024 the LCK choir were invited to perform at the SAPHNA Conference; A School Nurse for Every School: School nurses’ positive impact in addressing health inequalities in children, young people, and their families.
We performed a song that was led by Merel and composed in collaboration with the very talent young musician Frankie Morland.
Please watch the song Rollercoaster below
Here are some other appearences the Choir has made:
* First appearance on the Long Covid Podcast Creativity Episode - December 2022
* Radio Jackie (SW London) interview about what the choir was doing for the Coronation -
interview was aired during prime time (6pm news) and during a special broadcast about the
Coronation
* Considered for the BBC Coronation Choir
* Appeared in BBC Music Magazine
* BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex with Clara & mum Emma
* Letter from King Charles - in relation to our Coronation song which was sent to him
* BBC Radio Scotland with Caitlin and mum Lorna
* BBC Radio London with Sienna and mum Kally
* Living with Long Covid: Hope podcast - episode especially about the choir
* News item on Dutch television Het Jeugdjournaal - watched by adults and children all across the country
* News item on NPO Radio 1 - one of the main news radio station in The Netherlands
* News article in Trouw - one of the main newspapers in The Netherlands
* News item in The Week Junior - Cerys, one of our choir members was interviewed for this
* News item in Kidsweek - Dutch kids magazine
Our choir sesions happen on a sunday at 5pm and all children with Long Covid are welcome to join. You can sign up here
