Hans Helsen

Hans Helsen (born 1989) is a Belgian composer, conductor, singer, and music pedagogue dedicated to connecting people of all ages through the power of singing. Focusing particularly on choral music for children and youth choirs, he incorporates his experience as a singer, conductor, and educator into his compositions. His works are regularly performed across Europe and beyond, bringing his music to a wide international audience. Committed to promoting and performing music by young fellow composers, Hans contributes significantly to the vibrancy of the contemporary music scene.

He won the Koor&Stem Composition Competition in 2011 with “Parafrasie Paranoica” and is a two-time laureate of the European Award for Choral Composers with “Missa Brevis” (2014) and “Sanctus Amor” (2020). His works are published by Euprint, Koor&Stem, Stringfun, and Helbling. As the tenor, in-house composer, and co-founder of MAVIS—a new and ambitious Belgian a cappella group—he aims to make vocal music accessible to a wide audience.

Hans conducts choirs of all ages and develops educational workshops at the Bruges Concertgebouw to introduce people to classical music and sound art. He also serves as the pedagogic-artistic director at STAP Roeselare, an academy for performing arts, dedicating himself to the creative development of a large group of people. His multifaceted career reflects his belief in the unifying power of music and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians.