Koen Kessels

Koen Kessels (born 1961) is a Belgian conductor and pianist. He is music director of The Royal Ballet^[2][1] and of Het Balletorkest, affiliated with the Dutch National Ballet.

Koen Kessels
Born	1961[1]
Occupations	Conductor, music director
Known for	Music director of The Royal Ballet and of Dutch National Ballet

Biography

Trained as a pianist, Kessels studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp. He became a repetiteur and an assistant conductor at the Vlaamse Opera.^[3] He founded the music ensemble HERMES in 1998^[4][5] and continues to serve as its artistic director. He has served as music director for the Belgian summer opera festival Zomeropera Alden Biesen.^[2]

Kessels became music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2010. In 2015, he became music director of The Royal Ballet.^[6][7] In December 2023, Dutch National Ballet announced the appointment of Kessels as its next music director, which includes the posts of artistic director and chief conductor of Het Balletorkest, effective 1 August 2024.^[8] Kessels concluded his tenure as music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet on 30 June 2024.^[9]

Kessels is an honorary professor at Birmingham University, as well as artistic director of Inspiratum. He is also on staff of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp.