I am a Dutch violist, educator, composer, and artistic leader dedicated to expanding the role of the viola through performance, education, and international collaboration.
I studied violin with Václav Novak and viola with Henk Guittart and Ron Ephrat at the Rotterdam Conservatory (1985–1992). Important artistic inspiration came from masterclasses with Bruno Giuranna, Wolfram Christ, Rainer Kussmaul, and intensive studies with Kim Kashkashian.
During my studies I met pianist Caecilia Boschman, with whom I formed a long-standing duo partnership. Together we received prizes at several international competitions, including the Lionel Tertis Competition, the Baden-Baden Festival, and the Vierzon Duo Competition. Today we continue to explore and record repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries, with a particular focus on rediscovering lesser-known works and creating new arrangements.
Contemporary music has always been central to my artistic identity. For 27 years I was a member of the Rotterdam DoelenQuartet, building an extensive international career devoted to new music and close collaboration with composers.
Since September 2011 I have been a viola professor at Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam, where I work with young violists from around the world, guiding them in developing both artistic individuality and a strong professional identity.
Alongside my performing and teaching career, I am deeply involved in strengthening the international viola community. I co-founded the Dutch Viola Society in 2012 and organized the successful International Viola Congress in Rotterdam in 2018. From 2020 I served as Vice-President of the International Viola Society (IVS), and as of January 1st I am honoured to serve as President of the IVS. In recognition of my contributions to the viola community, I received the Silver Alto Clef Award at the International Viola Congress in Paris in January 2026.
As a composer and arranger I focus primarily on expanding the viola repertoire. My works include a Suite for Solo Viola (published by Viola Viva, 2022), the suite Four Seasons for clarinet and viola, and Three Golden Hairs, a solo viola suite inspired by a Brothers Grimm fairy tale (Viola Viva, 2024).
I perform on a viola made by Dutch violinmaker Jan van der Elst.