Jessica, a soloist and chamber musician is recognised both in her native Belgium and internationally as one of the most charismatic performers of her generation. Her classical and contemporary recitals gaining accolades of the highest distinction.
Her sensitivity and intelligent approach to performance never failing to produce profound effects upon her audience, as she searches for new and elegant ways to approach the technical and musical challenges in the score. It's quite obvious why Jessica Ryckewaert is regularly sought by contemporary composers to premier their latest works, there is no substitute for the best.
Jessica is a soloist and chamber musician who is one of the most charismatic percussionist recognized in her native Belgium and also abroad, in the contemporary and classical music scene.
Born in Huy, Belgium, Jessica began her musical career at the age of 6, in percussion and piano. Received the highest diplomas with highest distinction in percussion and chamber music, at the Conservatoires of Liège and Brussels. In addition Jessica took advanced classes at the Strasbourg National Conservatoire and studied with Emmanuel Séjourné, for marimba and vibraphone. Here she obtained her specialisation diploma with the congratulations of the jury.
In 1996-97, Jessica Ryckewaert won the First Prizes for piano and percussion in the National “Crédit Communal” Competition. Early in her studies, attended numerous master-classes with artists such as Michael Udow, John Beck, Leigh Howard Stevens and Dave Samuels.
In 2002, received third Prize at the International Vibraphone Competition in Clermont-Ferrand.
After starting her professional career in different Belgian orchestras, Jessica quickly turned towards the world of contemporary music. Has acquired a vast experience in chamber music by working notably with Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles and the Ictus Ensemble. Jessica has performed around the world in New York, Milan, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin and has taken part in the premières of works by Nova, Romitelli, Schollhorn, De Mey, Fontyn, Fourgon, Ledoux, Bartholomée.
In parallel with her career as a chamber musician, Jessica works as a soloist. In 2002, she toured Canada and played the Concerto for Vibraphone and Orchestra by Emmanuel Séjourné. In 2003, was invited to give concerts and workshops in Singapore. 2005 was invited to play in the Senate for the Belgian Royal Family, a televised event. From 2005 she opened up her horizons to the United Kingdom by giving solo recitals at festivals, including Plymouth, Cambridge and Oxford.
The same year also saw Jessica begin working with the CRFMW (Centre de Recherches et de Formation Musicales de Wallonie) and on the premières of works by Pierre Bartholomée and Denis Bosse, pieces especially written for her toperform. Has taken part in various festivals such as Images Sonores, Ars Musica, Stuck Leuven, with these pieces and Day Dreams, Ph. Boesmans. Jessica was invited to play a series of concerts with the International Pop/Reggae group UB40.
As well as being a Professor of Percussion at the conservatoire Imep, Namur, Belgium, Jessica is preparing concerts for contemporary festivals in both Belgium and the UK to promote her new CD Percutronique. Released under the record label Fuga Libera, 2009. The CD contains works by Boesmans, Bartholomée and Gobert, for marimba, vibraphone and electronics.
“One of the most fascinating instruments in modern music, the marimba, in the hands of its most seductive specialist, the excellent Jessica Ryckewaert” “here comes a disc that will inspire you with a passion for percussion, electronicss and the 21st century!” Outhere (2009)
2010 Jessica has been commissioned to compose a piece for percussion. The finished composition will be used as a compulsory piece for the Dexia Bank Percussion Competition.
2010 Jessica was interviewed by Classic FM magazine. A full page feature about Jessica will appear in the June edition and under the title ‘Hot Property’.
Jessica is artist endorsed by Adams Musical Instruments for marimba and vibraphone and by Alternate Mode for MalletKat. www.jessica-ryckewaert.com http://www.adams-music.com/pf/reference/artists/detail/?01A0DB49D93141CD9E59491E6EBD5570 http://www.adams-music.com/pf/reference/artists/detail/?01A0DB49D93141CD9E59491E6EBD5570