Belgian conductor Ivan Meylemans, is one of the most exciting and dynamic conductors to emerge in Europe recent years. Ivan is currently chief conductor of the Zeeland Orchestra in Middelburg (Netherlands) and Professor Orchestral Conducting and conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of one of the finest conservatory's in Belgium: LUCA School of Arts, based in Leuven.
As a guest conductor Ivan Meylemans has worked with major orchestras in Europe including: The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, National Orchestra of Belgium, Flemish Symphony Orchestra as well as the Dortmund Philharmoniker, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Danish Opera Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Sweden and Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg. In Asia, Ivan conducted The Tapei Symphony Orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 2007 to 2012 Meylemans was chief conductor of the Chamber Orchestra Bruges (Het Kamerorkest) and until last year he served as assistant of maestro Mariss Jansons at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam.
In 2012 he made has opera debut at Opera Zuid, with Jules Massenet's Manon. Public and press were unanimously glorified and Ivan Meylemans was re-invited the next two seasons to conduct Carmen – Bizet and Die Fledermaus – Johann Strauss jr.
Highlights of season 2014-2015 include re-engagements with The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, The South Netherlands Philharmonic, the Dutch Ballet Orchestra, a debut with Kymi Sinfonietta (Finland) and the start of his chief conductorship at the Zeeland Orchestra in Middelburg. Next season Ivan Meylemans will make his debut at SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden/Freiburg.
Numerous CD's as well as TV and radio recordings demonstrate Ivan Meylemans' artistic versatility. In 2010 Ivan conducted Mozart's Gran Partita in a live broadcasted concert for Danish TV with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. For the label Naxos he recorded the Elements Concerti by American composer David Winkler and together with Gavriel Lipkind and the Arnhem Philharmonic he recorded Ernst von Dohnány's Konzertstuck for Cello and Orchestra.
In 2012 Meylemans conducted the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra on Queens Night. This concert was live broadcasted and full HD recorded for RCO Universe, the orchestra's digital platform. One year later Ivan Meylemans was honored to conduct the RCO with Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren at the Coronation concert of King Willem-Alexander of Holland.
In 2005 Ivan was awarded the 'Prix de Salon'. This prize resulted in a first full-CD recording "BRASS" with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Brass (RCO Brass) and just recently their second CD "BRASS TOO" was released on the orchestra's own record label.