PAEPE, Nicole De

Pianist and composer Nicole De Paepe was born in Antwerp on July 11, 1958. Drawn to the musical pursuits of her father and grandmother, she began her musical training in Borgerhout at the age of eight. Her achievements include receiving a distinction at the Gunther Competition in Brussels in 1974 and a degree of excellence accompanied by the Government Medal in Borgerhout in 1977. At the age of fourteen, she was admitted to the Royal Flemish Conservatory of Music in Antwerp. Following a career as a freelance pianist, she has dedicated herself to creating original compositions, which she performs in diverse solo recitals. Nicole De Paepe writes for the piano as well as for other instruments and the voice. She also provides musical accompaniment for rehearsals and concerts for the Antwerp Philharmonic Choir, Alma Musica Borgerhout, the Don Bosco Choir in Hoboken, and other choral groups. Her music bridges the gap between classical and lighter genres; a clearly recognizable sentiment, theme, or story always lies at its heart, drawing the listener into a world of emotion. Contemporary elements blend with flowing, harmonic melodies.