Benjamin Haemhouts

Benjamin Haemhouts began his professional career as a trombonist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra before becoming Principal Trombone of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Alongside his performing career, he conducted youth orchestras and worked as assistant conductor to his mentor,  Alexander Polyanichko.

As a guest conductor, Haemhouts has collaborated with leading ensembles including the Belgian National Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony, Argovia Philharmonic, Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra de  Cámara de Bellas Artes (Mexico), PhilZuid, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, the Asko/Schönberg Ensemble, and the Orchestre Royal de Liège. He recently debuted with the Hard Rain Ensemble in Northern Ireland and will return tot the Bamberg Symphony in 2026, followed by his debut at the English National Ballet in 2027.

In 2008, Haemhouts co-founded Casco Phil, where he continuous to serve as artistic director. Under his leadership, the ensemble has grown into a dynamic collective that champions artistic innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Its programming interweaves contempory works, classical repertoire, and original compositions – many commissioned especially for Casco Phil.

A central focus of Haemhouts’ artistry is the social role of music. He has spearheaded forward-looking projects such as Lost & Found – a traveling opera staged in European train stations in partnership with the Royal Opera House Covent garden, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Muziektheater Transparant and Europalia  - and Wind Symphony, a collaboration with the University of Antwerpen and the Port of Antwerp that transforms wind turbine data into sound.

Contempary dance  plays a key role in his work, with collaborations on productions featuring choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Martha Graham, Daniel Proietto, Maurice Béjart, and others.

Since 2019, Haemhouts has been artistic director of the Antwerp Spring Festival at the Handelsbeurs. The festival’s identity reflects the city itself: vibrant, entrepreneurial, and future-oriented, bringing together emerging talent, tradition, and innovation.

Social engagement is a constant in his practice. One notable initiative is Crokant, offering children from underprivileged backgrounds a week of creative exploration through music, healthy cooking, philosophy for children, and self-expression.

Beyond his artistic projects, Haemhouts is widely recognized as a cultural entrepreneur, keynote speaker and leadership coach. In sessions such as  Symphonic Leadership, he draws inspiring parallels between orchestral conducting and organizational leadership.

PHOTO: WANNES CRÉ