Pieter Nijsten studied harmony, practical harmony, music history and counterpoint at the Conservatoire in Antwerp and Brussels, where he also obtained a master's degree in music theory. He also studied jazz composition and arrangement at Rotterdam's "Codarts" Conservatory.
In 1990, he was hired at the KCB as a teacher of practical jazz harmony and jazz arranging, introducing the first jazz sounds to the Conservatory. From 1992, he stood at the cradle of the newly founded jazz department and had the privilege of moulding this brand-new study programme according to his own insights and - together with fantastic colleagues - gradually developing it into one of the leading institutions on the European jazz scene. From the outset, it was decided to set up not only an instrumental course (including our now famous Latin department) but also a jazz composition course, which, by the way, is still unique in Belgium and which now also includes the composition of film music.
However, all good things come to an end and in 2020, after 30 years of leadership, he will pass on the torch of head of the jazz department to colleague Bart De Nolf. Currently, he is still active within KCB as a visiting professor of jazz arranging, as a member of the Artistic Council and as a member of the School of Arts Council.
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