I would like to introduce myself: my name is Kees van der Harst, I was born in Dalfsen. When I was eight years old, I heard the sound of the clarinet in a chamberconcert, and from that moment I knew that clarinet is my instrument. From my ninth on, I played with growing enthusiasm at the school of Music in Hengelo, where I layed the basis for my future conservatory education, not only with wekely lessons by Rob van Nus, but also by playing in the clarinet ensemble il Clarinetto, windquintet Hugo de Groot, the Uhl-quartet and TJSO. I also participated in several competitions. I was twice the winner of the Deventer Ensemble concours with my clarinet quartet, and my participations to the Prinses Christina Concours led to three honourable mentions and a consolation prize.

A heavy traffic accident in 2001 made me decide to extend my hobby. After the rehabilitation I moved to Arnhem to finish secondary education and to start with lessons classical clarinet at the conservatory from Reinier Hogerheijde and conducting from Harry Janssen. After my bachelor diploma I took lessons in Siena (Italy) from Antony Pay at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, and after that, I finished my master at the Messiaen Academie (Enschede), with lessons from André Kerver, supplemented with lessons from Sabine Meyer and Reiner Wehle at the Ticino Musica academy in Lugano (Switserland). On the 23rd of June 2009, I played my master exam, which was marked with an 8,5. In this concert I played a.o. Dialogue de l’ombre double by Pierre Boulez, one of the most impressive pieces written for clarinet solo. This piece was also the subject of my master research, with which I completed my master.

As I have always enjoyed playing in ensembles, I still have several ensembles. With my ensemble Alondra I play chambermusic in changing complements, from baroque till modern composed music. Furthermore, I play as a remplaçant in the Orkest van het Oosten.