The idea that I would be part of an eclectic duo is at once strange and logical. This is because I come from a family in which both parents were classically trained at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. My sister and I also received classical music training there. My father played in the Residentie orchestra for much of his career, and my sister and I were part of several orchestras after our time with the famous Viotta youth orchestra.
From this perspective, it is indeed surprising that I moved outside the classical music world. Yet it makes sense when you know that as a boy my father was also taught by gypsy violinists, which introduced him to 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 styles of music.
The idea that I would be part of an eclectic duo is at once strange and logical.
Whereas a musician in a large orchestra often blends into the whole, it is a completely different experience to be on a stage with only one other musician. I honestly did not expect to take this step when I temporarily hung up my oboe in the late 1990s. It was a reunion of the Viotta youth orchestra that rekindled my love of music.
I then played with several orchestras, including the Excelsior Wassenaar, Bellitoni and the Symfonisch Harmonieorkest Amsterdam.
At several orchestras, my musicality was noticed and I was asked to perform as a soloist. These experiences helped me build a direct relationship with audiences, bringing them into my musical experience. I was also asked for smaller chamber music ensembles, which allowed me to create an even more intimate relationship with the audience and my fellow musicians.
With this rich experience and my broad musical interests, in addition to my classical music adventure, I decided to throw myself into the eclectic nature 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 thoroughly enjoy the pieces of music Eugenie and I choose together. We try to give our listeners an unforgettable experience by expressing ourselves through music and making a connection with them.