Pieter Pellens

Pieter Pellens started to play the saxophone at age seven. He studied at the Conservatories of Ghent, Milan, Vienna with teachers Rik Vaneyghen, Raf Minten, Koen Maas, Mario Marzi and Lars Mlekusch.

During his studies he was a laureate of various competitions such as Axion Classics (Brussels), Concours pour Jeunes Saxophonistes (Dinant), Prinses Christina Concours (The Hague), Premio Nazionale delle Arti (Rome), Fidelio-Wettbewerb (Vienna).

From 2014 to 2016 he followed a postraduate in contemporary music at School of Arts Ghent, coached by Ictus and Spectra Ensembles.

Since 2017 he is a saxophonist in BL!NDMAN, with this ensemble he collaborated with International Theater Amsterdam, NTGent, Toneelhuis, Muziektheater Transparant, Vokalconsort Berlin, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Collegium Vocale.

He is co-founder of the saxophone quartet Scarbo, a collective where a strong emphasis is put on creative collaborations with composers and other forms of art.

Since 2010 he has been a highly demanded saxophonist in orchestras such as Brussels Philharmonic, Symfonieorkest van de Munt and Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. He also participated in productions of Teatro della Scala, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Nadar Ensemble, Casco Phil, Wiener Jeunesse Orchestra.

As a pedagogue he wishes to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of young saxophonists. He is professor of saxophone at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp and assistant saxophone teacher at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.

Since 2017 he is a member of the artistic committee of the Association Internationale Adolphe Sax, Dinant.

Photo credit: Io Cooman