Dick van der Harst

Born in 1959, Dick van der Harst is a versatile Dutch-born composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist based in Belgium. He is widely recognized for his unique ability to fuse diverse musical genres, including jazz, classical, and global folk traditions.
From 1989 to 2013, he served as the influential composer-in-residence at LOD Muziektheater in Ghent, where he collaborated with renowned directors like Alain Platel and Koen De Sutter. His notable works include the folk fanfare Banda Azufaifo and the multidisciplinary series House of Hidden Tunes.
A former city composer of Ghent (2007–2008), Van der Harst has received prestigious honors, including the Louis Paul Boon Prize for his social engagement and the Grand Theatre Festival Prize. More recently, he has continued to lead innovative projects such as The History of the World in Two Hours and has appeared as a resident musician at festivals like B-Classic.