Ernie Bouckaert

Belgian organist. Born in Bruges in 1948, He receives his first musical education at the age of 5 years from his mother, an outstanding piano-performer herself. At the age of 6 he receives his first instrument: the Accordion and is taught by Joseph Fiers - who was the musical accompanist of the world famous clown Grock (2). He studies at the Royal Music Academy of Bruges - getting the highest quotations - and at the age of 8 he becomes National Accordion Champion in his Category. At the age of 12 he participates in Germany in the "Gunter-Contest" in the semi-professional section, where he obtains 96% and ends in the world professional category on the third place (as youngest competitor) with 97% of the points. At the age of 14, Ernie is a student at the Royal Music Academy in Brussels, obtains a first Price on Piano and three years later switches to the Music Academy in Ghent where he gets degrees in Musical History, Chamber Music and Harmony. He is at this time still a student at the same Academy in Fugue - Counter Point - Composers and Orchestra classes. While working thus the very classical aspects of the Piano, he studies at the same time, from the age of 15, privately the Organ, forms a small band and plays 2 or 3 nights a week in Clubs and Dance Halls. He has developed a very personal style and owes most of his success to his brilliant performances and his personal conceptions of musical trends. Ernie Brouckaert is also most appreciated accompanist of all international singing stars because of his musical abilities and his very sensitive feeling.