Broadcasting to nearly 40 million listeners across 84 countries, Armin van Buuren solidified his role in global electronic music through his long-running radio show, A State of Trance. The Dutch producer and DJ transitioned from a law student at Leiden University into a prominent figure within the trance genre, eventually securing recognition as an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Formative Years and Academic Pursuit
Born in 1976 in Leiden, Netherlands, van Buuren was raised in Koudekerk aan den Rijn. He completed his secondary education at the Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden in 1995 before enrolling at Leiden University. While he initially prioritised his legal studies, his burgeoning career as a disc jockey at Club Nexus prompted him to pause his education. He ultimately balanced his professional commitments with academia, graduating from law school in 2003.
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His entry into professional music production began in 1996 with releases on Timeless Records. By 1997, his track Blue Fear established his presence, followed by the success of Communication in 1999. During this period, he founded the Armind label and participated in collaborative projects including Major League and Alibi. His work quickly found an international audience, particularly in Ibiza, leading to a residency at the Washington D.C. club Glow in 2002.
The Evolution of A State of Trance
The radio program A State of Trance launched in March 2001 on ID&T Radio. Originally a two-hour show, it facilitated the global distribution of progressive house and trance tracks. As he transitioned between various broadcasting platforms, including Fresh FM, SLAM!FM, and eventually Radio 538, the reach of the show expanded significantly. He marked milestones for the program with large-scale events in locations such as Amsterdam, The Hague, and 's-Hertogenbosch.
Discography and Industry Recognition
Van Buuren has released multiple studio albums, including 76 in 2003, Shivers in 2005, and Imagine in 2008. His single This Is What It Feels Like, featuring Trevor Guthrie, earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2014, marking him as the fourth trance artist to receive such a distinction. He maintains a record on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the United States and has frequently placed high on the DJ Mag top rankings.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Leiden
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Education: Leiden University, Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden
- Musical Project: Gaia
- Radio Show: A State of Trance
- Award: Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau (2011)
- Award: Popprijs (2007)
- Languages: English, Dutch
Questions readers ask
Did Armin van Buuren complete his law degree?
Yes, he put his studies on hold to pursue his music career but returned to graduate in 2003.
How many countries broadcast his radio show?
The A State of Trance show is broadcast in 84 countries.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau — 2011
- Instruments: synthesizer, Logic Pro and Ableton Live
- Genres: trance, psychedelic trance and vocal trance
