Kristof Van Grysperre, DMA

Adjunct Professor, Area Director of Opera and Vocal Studies

Office Location: East Campus, Warren Music Center, Room 225

Belgian conductor, pianist and vocal coach, Kristof Van Grysperre, DMA, stands as a celebrated figure in the world of classical music, earning accolades and recognition for his exceptional talent and remarkable versatility. As praised by the Orange County Register, Van Grysperre's performances are marked by an extraordinary blend of skill and artistry, embodying "gifted and stylistically impeccable" qualities, coupled with a unique ability to wield both musical power and sensitivity.

A notable highlight of Van Grysperre's illustrious career has been his association with the Long Beach Opera, where he has conducted a series of productions that have consistently garnered high acclaim which includes the likes of Frida, Candide, Hydrogen Jukebox, King Gesar, and the world premiere of Fallujah, which was live broadcasted by KCET and which he also conducted in his New York City Opera debut.

Van Grysperre recently graced the stage with his conducting prowess at the Chicago Opera Theater, leading stellar performances of The Consul, starring Patricia Racette and Victoria Livengood. He also made an indelible mark at the iconic Carnegie Hall with An Evening of Opera.

Van Grysperre’s reputation as a conductor is built upon his remarkable proficiency in both traditional and contemporary repertoire. He is widely regarded for his unwavering commitment to precision and clarity, coupled with a profound mastery of detail. His extensive repertoire includes over sixty operas, and he has conducted captivating performances for organizations such as Opera Pacific, Baltimore Opera Studio, Intimate Opera Company, USC Opera, and Cal State Los Angeles.

Inspired by his mentor Carlo Bergonzi, Van Grysperre is deeply committed to nurturing emerging talent in the world of opera. As the Artistic Director of Angels Vocal Art, he has conducted captivating renditions of operas like Tosca, The Consul, Il Trittico, La Traviata, Anya17, Candide, and a resplendent Gran Gala di Verdi at past summer Festivals. Currently, he serves as the Director of Opera and Vocal Studies at Azusa Pacific University, where he continues to shape the future of operatic talent.

Beyond the conductor’s podium, Kristof Van Grysperre is highly sought-after as a coach for both singers and conductors. His expertise has been harnessed by prestigious institutions such as the Tanglewood Music Center Vocal Program, Aspen Opera Center, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, SongFest, California Conducting Workshop, and the University of Southern California, where he held the position of acting music director for the USC Thornton Opera.

Van Grysperre collaborated with leading instrumentalists and singers, such as Angela Meade, Philip Webb, Juliana Gondek, Maria Newman, and Suzan Hanson. He recorded for the René Gailly and Phaedra labels, the Flemish and Suisse Radio and Television and K-Mozart.

Equally at home as a recording engineer, he built a new state-of-the-art coaching and recording studio, complete with acoustic panels and green screen, and produced La Voix Humaine during the Pandemic.

Van Grysperre has been honored with numerous awards and fellowships, including the prestigious Fulbright Grant. At the USC Thornton School of Music, he completed a Doctorate and two Master of Music degrees, all with highest honors, with major fields in keyboard collaborative arts and orchestral conducting. He also studied at the Conservatories of Liège and Ghent (Belgium) where he obtained Concert Diplomas for both piano and chamber music.

Education

DMA, Keyboard Collaborative Arts, University of Southern California, 2005
MM, Orchestral Conducting, University of Southern California, 2002
MM, Keyboard Collaborative Arts, University of Southern California, 2000
Concert Diploma in Piano, Royal Music Conservatory of Liège, 1998
Concert Diploma in Chamber Music, Royal Music Conservatory of Ghent, 1995

Credentials/Certifications

Fulbright Grantee
Member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Societies

Academic Area

School of the Arts

Expertise

Opera
Collaborative Piano
Vocal Coaching
Chamber Music
Choral Conducting and Instrumental Conducting

Courses Taught

MUS 484 – Preparing the Total Performer
MUS 486, GMUS 588, GMUS 572 – Opera Workshop
GMUS 511 – Applied Conducting
GMUS 520 – Applied Instruction
GMUS 536 – Seminar in Professional Preparation
GMUS 537 – Operatic History and Performance Practice
GMUS 541A – Professional Vocal Coaching
GMUS 541B – Advanced Vocal Coaching
GMUS 571 – Artist Certficate Chamber Music