I am a professional musician, band leader, musical director and educator. My main instrument is the drums. I come from East Belgium, but music has taken me to different places, Italy, Boston, Berlin and since 2019, Aalborg. Work has taken me all over the world, both on stage and in the studio.

I approach my teaching through recognizing and honoring that students entrust us as educators with guiding them on a part of their life project. That means challenging them, pushing them as much as possible but also recognizing growth and giving the support they need. It also means setting them up for what comes after school. Giving them the tools to progress on their own, to make informed artistic and aesthetic choices; to give them the tools they need to continue developing their craft as well as artistry in any direction they want to.

For examples of my work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LJXCLX82Z8&ab_channel=RigaJazzStage

And for more content: https://www.instagram.com/yannickballmann/