The idea that I would be part of an eclectic duo is strange and logical at the same time. This is because I come from a family in which both parents are classically trained at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. My sister and I also followed a classical music education there. My father played in the Residentie Orchestra for a large part of his career, and my sister and I were part of several orchestras after our time with the famous youth orchestra Viotta.
From this perspective, it is indeed surprising that I moved outside the classical music world. Still, it makes sense when you know that my father was also taught by gypsy violinists as a boy, which brought him into contact with the world of gypsy and Eastern European folk music. My sister later became part of the symphonic metal band Kingfisher Sky and toured the world with the alternative rock formation Kovacs. I myself discovered my second musical love in light music, jazz and soul. A chance meeting with Eugenie eventually led to the duo in which I can perform these musical styles.
The idea that I would be part of an eclectic duo is strange and logical at the same time.
Where a musician in a large orchestra often blends into the whole, it is a completely different experience to be on stage with only one other musician. To be honest, I didn't expect to take this step when I temporarily hung up my oboe in the late 90s. It was a reunion of the youth orchestra Viotta that rekindled my love for music. I then played with various orchestras, including the Excelsior Wassenaar, Bellitoni and the Symphonic Wind Orchestra Amsterdam.
With various orchestras my musicality was noticed and I was asked to perform as a soloist. These experiences helped me build a direct relationship with the audience, taking them into my musical experience. I was also asked to perform smaller chamber music ensembles, which allowed me to create an even more intimate connection with the audience and my fellow musicians.
With this rich experience and my broad musical interests, I decided, in addition to my classical music adventure, to focus on the eclectic character of the duo. In addition to the oboe and English horn, I also sing, a talent I inherited from my mother. In this duo I fully enjoy the pieces of music that Eugenie and I choose together. We try to give our listeners an unforgettable experience by expressing ourselves through music and connecting with them.
