KATRINE DRUYTS

Katrine Druyts obtained First Prizes for “singing” and “chamber music” and her Master degree for “classical singing” at the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp, Belgium, in the class of Lucienne Van Deyck. She has won several song interpretation contests such as the contest Renaat Verbruggen and received the Ernest Van Dijck award and the special nomination for the Signaal Prijs (Music Theatre). She has taught singing at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp from 1994 till 2011. She has sung abroad in numerous concert productions, festivals, various baroque ensembles, choirs, chamber opera’s, chamber music ensembles and song recitals. Katrine has sung in professional choirs and ensembles. She has made over twenty recordings. As a soloist she has sung in oratoria and cantates from the baroque period to the 20th century. She founded several chamber music ensembles, and performed the premieres of many chamber music compositions by significant composers. With marimba virtuosos Ludwig Albert and Keiko Abe, she has performed on concert tours abroad and recorded with marimba virtuosos several CD albums, internationally received by praising critics. After her classical career, she transformed her classical voice to new sounds, with which she now sings in various music styles: from tango and chanson to jazzy and folk songs. With her hometown americana band Bluewire she recorded 2 successful albums: Rainy Day People and Tip Jar Legacy. Recent press critics: “Katrine has a full soft and warm voice. It’s a lady I think can handle any genre, pleasant to listen to” (Folk Magazine) – On 2 Tex Mex Songs: ”Linda Ronstadt aka Katrine Druyts, from Turnhout (Belgium)” (Rootsville) – “These are clearly top musicians with an eye for detail and a love for the profession! That’s how we like to hear it…” (Luminous Dash) – “you will be ready for a discovery to the most surprising variegation of sound and rhythm” – “The combination of her musically rich and attractive voice and Mr. Ludwig’s lyrical marimba approach is very unique (Keiko Abe)”…