Ward De Ketelaere

Ward De Ketelaere is a Belgian percussionist, conductor and musical director, active at the intersection of contemporary music, ensemble work and artistic creation. He began his musical education at the municipal music school of Sint-Niklaas, developing early on as both an instrumentalist and ensemble musician. He pursued formal percussion studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, supplemented by masterclasses with leading international percussionists.

As a freelance percussionist, Ward De Ketelaere has collaborated with various Belgian and international ensembles and orchestras, developing a strong affinity for contemporary and experimental music. A key pillar of his artistic journey is his long-standing involvement with BL!NDMAN as a percussionist in BL!NDMAN [drums].

Alongside his performance career, he has developed as a conductor and musical director. He is active in the brass band world and combines this with pedagogical and artistic coordination work. His broad musical background, spanning classical, minimalism, experimental and hybrid projects, adds significant value to his work.

Since spring 2025, Ward De Ketelaere has been appointed musical director of BL!NDMAN. In this role, he takes leadership across a variety of projects, including large-scale and cross-genre productions. He contributes to the musical vision, ensemble development, and the translation of concepts into a coherent and distinctive musical outcome