Lucas Robert Van Vlierberghe was born March 7, 1995 in Antwerp. He started playing the cello at the age of eight. As a child, he was already fascinated by composing and his ambition has always been to deepen his ability when getting older. He graduated at the Kunsthumaniora in Antwerp as a cellist. His cello teachers throughout his studies were: Aurélia Boven, Ann Van Hecke and Marian Minnen.
He continued studying composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp. Van Vlierberghe completed his Master of Music, Composition in 2021. His main teachers were Wim Henderickx and Bram Van Camp.
His former composition teachers were Helena Tulve, Tõnu Kõrvits, Luc Van Hove and Alain Craens.
Van Vlierberghe studied his first Master at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, with Helena Tulve and Tõnu Kõrvits for half a year. He also studied choir conducting with Hirvo Surva and was a tenor in the EAMT Choir, led by Tõnu Kaljuste.
Very characteristic and important concerning his music is the eclectic attitude he probably took over from his greatest idol: Igor Stravinsky. So it's hard to say what style he writes, because the result is almost always completely different. Though, because of his stay in Estonia, he got inspired by postmodernism. His music is often modal combined with modern elements.
In 2016, Lucas Van Vlierberghe was named assistant-conductor of Kapelmeister Sebastiaan Van Steenberge and Director of Music Peter Van de Velde, in the Cathedral of our Lady, Antwerp. From a very young age, he joined the Antwerp Cathedral-Choir, which has always been a second home to him. Until 2020 he was the main repetitor within the choir and sang the vespers and masses in the Cathedral.
Along with the alumni from the choir, he founded a new chamber choir: 'Ex Cathedra', in 2020. He is the conductor and musical director within the choir.
He studied choir conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp with Luc Anthonis. He also studied conducting with Hirvo Surva at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Tallinn.
In the summer of 2022, Van Vlierberghe founded the Antwerp String Ensemble with cellist Shuya Tanaka. Van Vlierberghe and Tanaka both studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp in the same period. During their studies they already worked together. For example, Van Vlierberghe dedicated his first cello suite to him. One of the most important goals of ASE is to support young musicians and give them professional experience and grow together as an ensemble. This collaboration wants to contribute to the musical and cultural scene in Antwerp and beyond.
