Belgian flagWard De Vleeschhouwer
(piano)

Ward De Vleeschhouwer

began his piano training at the E. Hullebroeck Academy in his hometown of Ghent. After graduating from the Academy, he continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Ghent, studying piano with Claude Coppens and Daan Vandewalle, composition with Luc Brewaeys and Frank Nuyts, and improvisation with Peter Vermeersch. Further he followed piano masterclasses with Jan Michiels, Daniel Blumenthal, Mariko Kaneda and Tae Yoshioka.

As a composer, Ward wrote for piano, chamber music and works for different ethnic instruments. In 2003 he founded “A Tryst,” an unusual project combining original compositions, traditional West African music and modern dance. In 2005 he received a commission from the theatre group NUNC to compose music for children for their new production ‘Raisonnez’, which won in 2008 a price for culture. Since 2005 he's NUNC’s composer in residence. In 2006 he received a commission from the Fabuleus Youth Theatre to compose the music for their production “Forza”. In 2008 Belgian scenarist and director Hugo Van Laere commissioned him to compose music for his successful production ‘Voor Altijd!’. Ward also wrote for ensembles as Spectra Ensemble and Thelema Trio. Some of his work is published with HrdScr Editions. Ward is a member of COMAV.

He is a member of ensembles such as Thelema Trio, Kinsa Trio and Duo Dicto.
With these ensembles and as a soloist, Ward has played on prestigious festivals and renowned concert halls in Belgium (Flanders Festival, Bijloke concert hall and Ha’ - Gent), the Netherlands (November Music), Italy, Japan (International Clarinet Festival in Tama Center), the USA (New Art and Music Festival Bowling Green - Ohio), Society of Composer Inc. National Conference, Greensboro-North Carolina), Peru (Festival internacional de Música Contemporánea - Lima), Switzerland (Paul Klee Museum - Bern), France (RIO festival) and Austria (Bösendorf Hall - Vienna).

Peter Verdonck
(alto, tenor & baritone saxophone)

Peter Verdonck

was born in Herentals, Belgium on 1 September 1979. He started the study of the saxophone at the Music Academy of Turnhout with Mark Verdonck, which he continued at the music department of the Heilig Graf Institute in Turnhout. After finishing his high school in 1998, he moved to Ghent to study with Willy Demey at the Royal Conservatory. There he took courses in composition with Lucien Posman as well and he graduated in June 2003 with highest honours for saxophone, chamber music and improvisation. In June 2007 Peter obtained the diploma for Postgraduate Concert Soloist at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp with Hans De Jong. Furthermore he followed masterclasses with Hans De Jong and Claude Delangle.

Beside Thelema Trio, Peter plays with the Rhythm Junks and he’s the founder, composer and saxophonist of the metal band "Wretched Vixen". Furthermore he can be found in various ensembles and groups. This brought him to halls all over Belgium, but also the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, France, Germany, Peru and Japan. In 2005 he performed as a soloist with the Belgian chamber orchestra Prima La Musica in the Concerto for Alto Saxophone, String Orchestra, Accordion and Percussion by Belgian composer Raoul De Smet.

He composes chamber music for many different line-ups and he’s a saxophone teacher. A number of his works have been recorded by. Thelema Trio and Aranis.

Rik De Geyter
(Bb & bass clarinet)