Florian has played the violin since the age of five, and after absorbing the sound of gamelan in Indonesia, started formal training in Helsinki. At the age of 14 he continued his studies at Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Returning to his Belgian roots at the age of 18, he enrolled at the Antwerp Conservatorium and switched to the viola. He completed his Masters under Walter Küssner at the world leading ‘Hans Eisler’ Hochschule für Musik Berlin achieving the highest distinction and has since continued to work there as Assistant Professor.
As a soloist he has performed the Kancheli concerto, the Mozart and Bruch double concertos and most recently, Pierre Charvet’s ‘And death’. During his time in Belgium he toured with the Production ‘Wanja’ fusing the roles of Musician, Actor and Puppeteer. The groundbreaking production for young children won the 2009 ‘Jungen Ohren Preis’ for Best Children’s Music Theatre.
As a dedicated chamber musician, he has been a member of the Arsis4 Quartet, the Boccherini String Trio, alumni of the Chapelle Musical “Reine Elizabeth” and the European Chamber Music Academy Performing across Europe Canada and Australia.
During the last few years he has been Principal Viola of the Brussels Chamber Orchestra, Principal Viola of the Gürzenich Orchester Köln, a regular guest with the Berliner Philharmoniker and a guest principle with the Dresden Staatskappelle, Munich Staatsoper, the Northern Sinfonia and the Australian Chamber Orchestra amongst others.
Florian is generously supported by Peronelle and Jim Windeyer