Birgit Bornauw

Birgit discovered the bagpipes at the age of 15 with traditional musicians from the Gooik region. She then became passionate about the different musical traditions of Europe making numerous discoveries at world music festivals. At the same time, she trained with several musicians to perfect her technique before entering the Lemmensinstituut (LUCA School Of Arts) in Leuven to study baroque musette and bagpipes.

With her Master's degree in hand, she turned her attention to traditional and early music, taking part in a number of landmark adventures: Griff (bagpipe trio), a tour of Rameau's opera Les Indes Galantes with Frans Brüggen's Orchestre XVIIIème, Bon matin! (Belgo-French quartet), the BBGE (Belgian Bagpipe Groove Experience), Transpiradansa, a ballroom orchestra directed by Wouter Vandenabeele, Amazing Airbags, a children's bagpipe orchestra she founded and directed, and the Tormis Ensemble, on a repertoire from Middle Ages...

She now devotes her time to the duo she forms with accordionist Benjamin Macke, through their programs of Baroque and traditional music: It's Baroque to my Ears and now Curly Music. Together, they also offer a ballroom program. Transmission is an important part of Birgit's work. She is an inspired and passionate teacher. She currently teaches bagpipes, ensemble playing and music history at the "Muziekacademie" in Ghent and Ypres, as well as at the "Conservatoire de Tournai". She also gives workshops throughout Europe.

Website : macke-bornauw.com

YouTube : @compagniemacke-bornauw7194 | Facebook : mackebornauw | Instagram : @mackebornauw

Langues : Dutch, English, French