Piano
bachelor of master in de Kunsten

Piano

For whom?

  • You want to pursue your passion for playing piano and dream of a professional music career.
  • You want to further develop your artistic expertise with the help of internationally renowned professors.
  • You have the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the admission tests.

Your future

With your degree in Piano, you can become, f.e. a freelance soloist, play in a (chamber music) ensemble or become an accompanist. You can also continue studying and become an artist-teacher or perhaps an artistic researcher? This study programme is the preparation for a brilliant future both on and off stage.

Chamber Music

Making music with others is important for your development and therefore compulsory during your studies. As a pianist, you will study chamber music to prepare you for likely collaborations that await you in your professional life.

Seminar & Masterclasses

Renowned guest professors from Belgium and abroad are invited to pass on their knowledge to you. In recent years, we welcomed Boris Berman, André De Groote, Markus Groh, Amy Lin, etc.

Brussels

You will have the chance to study in a metropolis with both large concert halls as well as small jazz clubs, the ideal starting point for a professional music career. Your campuses are surrounded by beautiful cathedrals, trending coffee bars and green parks to unwind in.

As a pianist at KCB, I get a lot of space and opportunities to develop myself. On the one hand, I learn to work independently and to look at skills with a critical eye, so that at the end of the day I don't need a teacher to learn me more about piano. On the other hand, a whole team of teachers is constantly there for me to share their expertise and all the surrounding subjects also complement each other nicely.

Merel Pauwels
Merel
Student Piano

After your study

Professional music career

With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, you can choose many professional directions. Who knows, you might end up:

  • in a (inter)nationally renowned ensemble
  • in a grand concert hall as soloist
  • in the arts education field
  • in the social artistic field
  • at cultural institutions or governments as advisor or policy maker
Liedbegeleiding

Further studies

Abbreviated bachelor's degree

After your bachelor, you can move on to a master's degree and even an additional master's degree in another instrument, through a abbreviated bachelor's degree. Postgraduates are also among the possibilities.

 
Verkorte Educatieve Master Muziek (only in Dutch)

Merk je tijdens je studie dat lesgeven iets voor jou is? Aan het KCB kan je ook een Verkorte Educatieve master Muziek volgen. Zo kan je meteen aan de slag als kunstenaar-leraar.

 
Artistic researcher

Interested in a career as an artistic researcher? KCB organises various events around research and also offers you the opportunity to do a PhD in collaboration with the Brussels Arts Platform and the VUB (university).

Your subjects

Bachelor

Required subjects Ba1 (CR) BA2 (CR) BA3 (CR)
Piano I, II,III 24 24 27
Chamber music 1, 2   6 6
Choir 1, 2 3 3  
Theory and ear training 1, 2 4 4  
Rhythm and intonation 1, 2 5 5  
Harmony and analysis 1, 2, 3 9 9 9
History of music 1, 2, 3 6 6 6
Applied harmony 1, 2   3 9
Encyclopedia and research 3    
Posture and movement 3    
History of culture 3    
Optional subject     3
Total 60 60 60

Master

Required subjects Ma1 (CR) Ma2 (CR)
Piano IV 27  
Master exam piano   30
Chamber music 3, 4 6 12
Accompanying voice & sight reading 6  
Accompanying orchestral instruments   6
Improvisation 3  
Counterpoint 6  
Formal analysis 1, 2 6 6
Introduction to philosophy 3  
Artistic Research Practices 3  
Optional subject   6
Total 60 60

More information about your subjects.

Alumni in focus

Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort

Liebrecht (°1984) is a pioneer of a new generation of Belgian pianists. Between 2002 and 2009, he pursued successive studies with renowned pedagogues such as Jan Michiels (Brussels), Menahem Pressler (Bloomington), Russell Sherman (Boston) and Elissó Wirssaladze (Munich). Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort himself is currently a visiting professor of piano at the LUCA School of Arts in Leuven.

His big breakthrough on the international concert stage came in 2007, when he was laureate of the renowned Queen Elisabeth Competition, where he also received two audience awards from VRT/RTBF.

Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort
Jonas Cambien

Jonas Cambien

Jonas Cambien (°1985) is a Belgian pianist, composer and improviser who has lived in Oslo since 2008 and is active in the Norwegian scene for improvised and contemporary music. He is best known as the leader of his own trio, with André Roligheten on reed instruments and Andreas Wildhagen on drums. He has performed on major stages and jazz festivals in Norway and abroad, and has released three albums with this trio on the Portuguese label Clean Feed: 'A Zoology of the Future' (2016) and 'We Mustn't We' (2018) and 'Nature Hath Painted the Body', all to rave reviews.

Your professors

In order to develop your talents to the fullest you need a teacher that is capable to help and motivate you in the right way. Our teaching staff is world renowned and have years and years of experience both as performers but also as pedagogues. 

Do you have any specific questions before you register for the admission tests? Would you like to meet your teacher before you take the big step? Below is a list of all teachers with contact information.

Begeleiding
Daniël Blumenthal

Daniël Blumenthal

Professor Piano

Born in Landstuhl (Germany), Daniel Blumenthal is of American origin. He began his musical studies shortly after his fifth birthday and is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Bachelor of Music) and the Juilliard School in New York (Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts).

He has won several international competitions : Sydney and Leeds in 1981, Geneva and Busoni in 1982, and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1983. He enjoys an international reputation as a soloist, concert musician, and chamber musician.

Daniel Blumenthal is professor op piano performance at the Brussels Conservatory and the Thy Chamber Music Festival in Denmark. In 1995 he served on the jury of the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition. He has recorded over 80 CDs. Daniel Blumenthal is honorary member of Icons of Europe and musical advisor to this not-for-profit cultural association.

Contact Daniël:

Email

Website

Aleksandar Madzar

Aleksandar Madzar

Professor Piano

Aleksandar Madzar (1968, Belgrado) started with piano lessons when he was six years old with Gordana Malinovic. From 1982 he studied with Arbo Valdma in Novi Sad and Belgrado, after with Elisso Wirssaladze in Moscow and Munich. 
He won several prizes at international competitions, among which Genf (1986), Bozen (1989), Leeds (1996) and Milano (first prize Concorso Umberto Micheli in 1997). Since his debut in 1990 with the Berliner Phimharmoniker led by Ivan Fischer he has collaborated with leading orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London, the BBC Philharmonic, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, the Südwestfunk Orchester and the National Orchestra of Belgium and with conductors such as André Previn, Rudolf Barschai, Marcello Viotti, Christoph Dolls, Dimitri Kitaenko and Gilbert Varga. 
Aleksandar Madzar gave recitals in London, Paris, Milano, Venetia, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Salzburg. As a chamber musician he regularly performs with Louise Hopkins, Andreas Staier, the Takács Quartet, the Belcea Quartet and Muriel Cantoreggi. Madzar is professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Bern and at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. 

Contact Aleksandar:

Email

Jan Michiels

Jan Michiels

Teacher Piano

Since being a laureate in the Brussels Queen Elisabeth competition 1991 Jan Michiels has been known for his very personal and multi-layered approach to the piano repertoire, combining old and new in always changing perspectives. Numerous recordings testify his activity - to quote a few, 'Lost in Venice with Prometheus', 'The War of the Romantics' or 'Slavic Soul' (all published by Fuga Libera) contain music from Bach till today seen from the position of a performer composing his programmes through a continuous dialogue with living music history. Jan Michiels worked indeed closely with composers such as a.o. G.Kurtág, H.Holliger, H.Lachenmann, K.Goeyvaerts, K.Huber, R. Groslot and K.Defoort. One of his main inspiration sources is Luigi Nono, who stood at the centre of his doctorate in the Arts 'Teatro dell'Ascolto' (2011).

Find out more about Jan through his website.

Contact Jan:

Email

Boyan Vodenitcharov

Boyan Vodenitcharov

Professor Piano, Researcher

Boyan Vodenitcharov studied at the conservatory in Sofia. In 1979 he received the 2nd prize at the international competition in Senigallia. Thereafter he became 3rd laureate at the Busoni Competition (1981) and at the Queen Elizabeth Competition (1983). He completed his studies with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

Boyan Vodenitcharov is a valued pianist in Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan. He has performed at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Palais de la Musique in Strasbourg, the Smetana Hall in Prague and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Vodenitchrov is also fascinated by old instruments, with which he recorded several CDs. Boyan Vodenitcharov is also active as a composer and improviser. Some of his works were performed in France, Germany, Belgium and Bulgaria. Currently he is a teacher of piano, pianoforte and improvisation at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

Contact Boyan Vodenitcharov:

Email

Piet Kuijken

Piet Kuijken

Professor Piano / pianoforte and researcher

Piet Kuijken is a student of Jan Vermeulen; he studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels under Jan Michiels, Arie van Lysebeth and André De Groote. He graduated with the highest honours from the piano and chamber music classes. In 1994, he received the CERA ‘Youth and Music' award, beginning an eminent career.

Having received a BAEF scholarship, he continued his studies at the University of Indiana with Menahem Pressler, pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio (2000/01). He obtained a diploma at this university, and has participated in numerous masterclasses, including with Leonard Hokanson, Edward Auer, Victor Rosenbaum, Paul Crossley, and Jean-Philippe Collard. He has cooperated with the renowned New Music Ensemble, and won the Schumann Concerto Competition.

He has appeared at solo recitals, played with chamber ensembles and orchestras under the baton of conductors such as Avim Ostrovski, Zeeve Dorman, Robert Groslot, Norbet Nozy, Etienne Siebens, Silveer van den Broeck, Robert Casteels and Wieland Kuijken. He has performed in many European countries, as well as Japan and the United States. His wide repertoire spans from the Baroque to modern music; he performs on the harpsichord, pianos of various historical periods, and on modern instruments. He has participated in the Flanders Music Festival, the Chopin festivals of Ghent and Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic), Ars Musica, De Nacht van Radio 3, Juventus, Fêtes Musicales de Savoie, Musicales Internationales Guil-Durance, Bach en Bauges, Bach en Combrailles, Berliner Tage für Alte Musik, Musica Antica in Magnano, and Organi Antichi in Bologna.

Since 1988, he has been linked with the Prometheus Ensemble, and has appeared in duos with pianist Bart Meynckens, clarinettist Henk Soen, cellist Karel Steylaerts, and his father Wieland Kuijken. He has also on numerous occasions played with the Oxalys, Ictus and Ensor ensembles, as well as Anne Cambier, Olga Pasiecznik, soloists of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and the Cinque Venti ensemble.

His discography includes works by Luc van Hove which he recorded with the Prometheus Ensemble (René Gailly), the chamber works of Debussy recorded with the Kuijken family for the Arcana label (this CD was awarded the Prix Choc 2000 from Le Monde de la Musique magazine), as well as the complete viola da gamba sonatas of Johann Sebastian Bach (with Wieland Kuijken). With Karel Steylaerts, he recorded the complete cello and piano works of Joseph Jongen for the Phaedra label (In Flanders Fields).

Piet Kuijken is a lecturer at Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel and the Music Academy in Anderlecht.

Contact Piet:

Email

Hans Ryckelynck

Hans Ryckelynck

Professor Piano

Hans Ryckelynck studied with Johan Duijck at the Ghent Royal Conservatory of Music and at the Queen Elisabeth College of Music, from which he obtained the Concert Diploma, summa cum laude. At the Brussels Royal Conservatory of Music, he studied harmony, counterpoint and fugue with Rafaël D’Haene. He obtained the Master Degree for music writing and was awarded the "Gevaert Prize" and "Lunssens Prize". From 1995 till 1999, he studied with the world-famous pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha in Paris.

Hans Ryckelynck has won prizes in the Cantabile, Belfius Classics and Tenuto competitions. He was also awarded the "Belgian Artistic Promotion" Prize of Sabam. He is a laureate of the "Belgian Vocation Foundation" and of the Rotary Club Ghent chamber music competition. As a soloist he regularly performs in recitals in Belgium and he has also given concerts in Luxemburg, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, China and Japan.

His chamber music partners include, amongst others, Yuki Hori (violin), Jan Sciffer (cello), Hendrik and Ludo Ide (Piano Trio "I Giocatori"). He has also performed with the Danel String quartet, the Belgian National Orchestra, the Flemish Radio Orchestra and the Flemish Radio Choir. Hans Ryckelynck is regularly invited to give master classes (International Music Academy Dinant, Jeunesses musicales, Vlamo, Muzikamp) or as a jury member in competitions (Concours International André Dumortier, Steinway Piano competition, Cantabile, Belfius Classics).

Contact Hans:

Email

Katia Veekmans

Katia Veekmans

Professor Piano

At the age of sixteen Katia Veekmans made her debut as a soloist with the ‘Limburgs Symphonie Orkest’ in the Netherlands. Since then she has given numerous concerts at international stages.

She has performed frequently as a soloist with renowned orchestras under eminent conductors. Recent highlights include performances of Tsjaikovski’s piano concerto with the Brussels Philharmonic under Michel Tabachnik and Chopin’s 2nd piano concerto with the Thüringer Philharmonie (G).

She has given many recitals in prestigious concert halls throughout Europe. Her many concerts, television and radio broadcasts, and her appearances at European festivals have established a reputation as an outstanding musician of her generation. Her CD releases include works by Rachmaninov, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Shchedrin, Prokofiev, Chopin, Schumann...                                                        

Katia Veekmans studied under André De Groote, Brigitte Engerer, Naum Grubert, Ruben Lifschitz and Lazar Berman. Furthermore she obtained a doctoral degree in the Arts at the Free University of Brussels. Katia Veekmans combines a career as a concert pianist with teaching activities. Since 1994 she has been a professor at the Royal Academy of Brussels. She is also a professor at Zuyd University - Conservatorium Maastricht (Nl). Often she is invited to give International Piano Masterclasses in Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Iceland, Portugal, Slovakia, the Netherlands…

Contact Katia:

Email

Projects in the spotlights

Boris Berman

Masterclass Boris Berman

On 24 and 26 October 2022, outstanding pianist, teacher of international stature and Grammy Award nominee, Boris Berman came to give a masterclass to our piano students. He also gave a recital on the occasion.

 

Binnenskamers | Chamber Music @MIM

Binnenskamers is the showcase of the chamber music classes at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. This concert series allows the ensembles that are ready for it to swarm out to stages outside of the conservatoire. The audience can get to know the up-and-coming talent of tomorrow, which includes our students piano.

Your campus

Campus Regentschapsstraat & Kleine Zavel

Our campuses are located in the vibrant Sablon district right in the heart of Brussels. The Conservatoire's stately main building on the Regentschapsstraat with its magnificent Concert Hall is one of Brussel's landmarks. Around the corner is our campus on Kleine Zavel where you can attend classes and study in the best conditions. Moreover, you can use our premises to study during the week and at weekends.

How can I access the campuses?

Alexandre onthaal KCB 2023
Hoofdgebouw KCB 2023

Renovation of the main building

After years of negotiations, we are proud to announce that the plans for the renovation of our impressive main building on Regentschapsstraat have been approved. More info on this can be found here.

Go abroad

During your studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, you will come in contact with the world: after all, you study in Brussels, Europe's most cosmopolitan capital. KCB offers guest lectures by international professionals or by a professor from a foreign partner school, international projects,... we will train you to become a professional ready for tomorrow's increasingly international world.

Do you want to spend some time abroad yourself? You can! Studying for a semester (or academic year) at a partner university or doing an internship abroad, mais oui, of course! Find out more about internationalisation.

Go Abroad KVDS

Come & visit us!

Info Moments

We organise several info moments during the second semester, such as (online) info days and open class moments.

Concerts

We welcome you to our many concerts, masterclasses and research days. Also come and listen to a caleidoscoop concert by our BA1 and BA2 students or our public exams. That way you can see what you would learn as a future KCB student. Every academic year, there are numerous productions in which our students perform. Info & tickets via the agenda or subscribe to our newsletter with the red button.

NEWSLETTER

Kom eens langs!

Enrolment & Admission Tests

To start your studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, you must pass an artistic admission test. For information on the entrance exams - such as dates, the programmes to prepare, the enrolment conditions/fees and the module to enrol - click on the button below.
 

ADMISSION TESTS

TP KVDS

Any question?

For more information, please contact the student administration via e-mail or make an appointment.