Biography
Ward De Vleeschhouwer began his piano training at the E.
Hullebroeck Academy in his hometown of Ghent, Belgium. 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, Thomas Rozenkrans and Tae Yoshioka.
As a composer, Ward wrote for piano, chamber music and works for different
ethnic instruments. Many of his titles have names of African masks such
as Boki (2010) for piano solo and Goli (2009) for piano four hands. 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. After that
he received several commissions for other theaterprojects (Fabuleus Youth
Theatre - “Forza”, Hugo Van Laere - ‘Voor Altijd!’).
Ward also wrote for ensembles as Spectra Ensemble, Thelema Trio and Aranis.
Several of his works are recorded on CD. And some of his piano works are
published with HrdScr Editions.
He is a member of ensembles such as Thelema Trio, a classical contemporary
trio, and the classical chamber rockband Aranis. 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 (Soundscape Festival),
Japan (International Clarinet Festival in Tama Center), the USA, Peru (
2nd & 3rd Festival internacional de Música Contemporánea
- Lima), Germany (Freakparade ArtRock Festival II) Switzerland (Paul Klee
Museum - Bern), France (Rock in Opposition festival 2007 & 2009) and
Austria (Bösendorf Hall - Vienna).
