Belgian violinist Hans Van Kerckhoven began his violin education at a young age at the Music Academy of Wijnegem and continued his studies at the Arts High Schools of Turnhout and Antwerp, under the guidance of Dirk Vermoesen and Hans Van Regenmortel. He quickly developed into an exceptional talent and was appointed concertmaster of the Youth and Music Orchestra of Antwerp a few years later.
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At the age of 17, he was admitted to the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he studied under Prof. Václav Novak and Prof. Jean-Jacques Kantorow. At 22, he graduated cum laude with degrees in Teaching and Performing Musician. Two years later, he also completed his diploma in Chamber Music under Prof. Olga Martinova.
During his studies, he attended masterclasses with renowned violinists such as Prof. Zakhar Bron, Leonidas Kavakos, Michael Gantvarg, Clemens Quatacker, Igor Oistrach, Herman Krebbers, Joshua Epstein, and Antonina Kazarina. He received several awards, including the Erasmus Soloist Award 1998 in Rotterdam, the Young Soloists Auditions at De Doelen (Rotterdam), a silver medal at the Concours International Européens pour Jeunes Solistes in Luxembourg, and was a finalist in the Vriendenkrans Competition at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. With the Trio Energico (clarinetist Raf De Keninck and pianist Erwin Deleux), he reached the finals of both the National Chamber Music Competition of Almere and the Gaetano Zinetti Chamber Music Competition in Verona. In 2007, he received the Flemish Cultural Award of Deurne (Antwerp).
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Concert Career
As a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist, Hans Van Kerckhoven performs a broad and versatile repertoire, ranging from Baroque to contemporary music. He has a particular affinity for opera and bel canto but also explores the worlds of musical theater, jazz, and pop, having performed with artists like Will Tura and Jean Bosco Safari.
In addition to traditional violin recitals in duo with Peter Caelen (piano) and Hanna Grociak, he has achieved great success with thematic programs such as:
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"The Fiddler and the Opera" with pianist Ardjoena Soerjadi
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"The Fiddler and the Diva" with soprano An Lauwereins
He has given recitals in prominent venues, including De Doelen Rotterdam, Muziekcentrum Frits Philips Eindhoven, Wibi Soerjadi Concert House Twisk, Queen Elisabeth Hall Antwerp, Bozar Brussels, De Bijloke Ghent, the Opera of Ghent, and at various festivals and concert halls nationally and internationally.
Collaborations and Ensembles
Hans Van Kerckhoven was a permanent member of the Emanon Ensemble and collaborated with ensembles such as the Prometheus Ensemble, Walter Boeykens Ensemble, Grupetto Ensemble, Belcanto String Quartet, and international top vocalists, including Olga Romanko, Karen Vermeiren, and Tineke Van Ingelgem.
He also served as concertmaster for various orchestras, including the Belcanto Festival Orchestra, Prima la Musica, La Passione, Boho Strings, and I Justiniani. He was also substitute soloist for one season at the Symphony Orchestra of La Monnaie in Brussels.
International Performances and Conductors
Hans Van Kerckhoven has performed as a soloist at numerous international festivals, including:
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Festival of Flanders
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Mendelssohn Festival Wageningen
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Gergiev Festival Rotterdam
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Pablo Casals Festival Prades (performing Brahms quintets with violist Wladimir Mendelssohn)
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Belcanto Festival Dordrecht
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Klara Festival Brussels (Bozar and De Singel Antwerp)
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Festivals in Madrid, Paris, Dublin, Strasbourg, Brussels, and Antwerp
He has performed violin concertos with orchestras such as Prima la Musica, I Justiniani, La Passione, Flanders Festival Orchestra, Orchestra di Girona, Orchestra Orfeo Gracienc Barcelona, Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra, Hofstra Symphony Orchestra of New York, and the Gumma Youth Orchestra of New York. His performances have taken him to the United States, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and throughout Europe.
He has collaborated with top conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Antonio Pappano, Giuliano Carella, Christopher Hogwood, Péter Eötvös, Yoel Levi, Dirk Brossé, and Dirk Vermeulen. A career highlight was his performance of "Méditation de Thaïs" by Massenet for the Belgian Royal Family in Luxembourg.
Instruments and Educational Activities
Hans Van Kerckhoven plays a 2021 violin crafted by American luthier Samuel Zygmuntowicz and a bow by Eugène Sartory "Ex-Tasmin Little".
In addition to his active concert career, he is a member of the Belcanto Group, alongside vocal coach Nicolai Cok, pianist Luca Gorla, and conductor Giuliano Carella. This collective is dedicated to supporting and developing young musicians in the bel canto tradition, following the teachings of Rodolfo Celletti.