About Joke Van Oirschot
At the age of 7 she started piano lessons with H. VanVaerenberg. Subsequently she continued her piano lessons in de ‘ Kunsthumaniora’ at Antwerp ( F. Vanderkoelen) .
She started to write little compositions when she was 10 years old. She liked soundtracks and arranged them at a early age. It inspired her to create her own pieces. When she was 20 years old, she wrote her first compositions for the shortfilm ‘ mandjeskaas’ with Herbert Flack en Pascal Bal.
After that she went to the conservatory ‘Lemmens Institute’ and followed music theory/composition and piano ( R. De Munck).
She specialised in Argentine tango piano at the ‘Codarts’ School of the Arts in Rotterdam. ( W. Warman and G. Beytelmann ( pianist of Piazzolla )).
During her training at the Rotterdam conservatory she performed with the ‘ORQUESTA TIPICA OTRA ‘with which she has done several tours abroad: Argentina, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium.
She followed masterclasses with Ivo De Greef, Pablo Dobal, Alfredo Marcucci, Allesandro Schwartz.
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Projects and performances
- 1998 – 2002: ‘Lyriana’ Gergez Damarascas (flute / cello) , Rientje Van Oirschot ( violin)
- 2000 : Film soundtrack ‘mandjeskaas’, studiorecording Djeeni
- 2006 – 2007: ‘Trio Por Très’ Patrick van Kerkhoven ( bandoneon) , Rientje Van Oirschot
- Tango Festival Antwerp ‘Tango aan de stroom’, Zone 21 in Leuven
- 2004 – 2008: ‘Orquesta Tipica OTRA’ : Rotterdams Tango Orkest ( tango festivals in Argentinië, Frankrijk, Duitsland,Nederland, Belgium (De Roma)
- 2007 – 2008: ‘Quinteto Azul’ : Charlotte Dupuis (violin) , Alet Kluitenberg ( bandoneon), Joris Van Beek ( double bass)
- 2008-2010 : ‘Duo Tangardi’ with Rientje Van Oirschot
- 2011 – 2015 ‘Quartet Tangardi’. Rientje Van Oirschot, Dieter Janssens (bandoneon), Pieter Lenaerts ( double Bass)
- Tango aan de Stroom (Antwerp), Tangofestival of Gent and Brugge ,Zone 21 in Leuven
- Lo Petillante in Broechem
- various tangosalons in collaboration with Geert Van Duffel ( Althenakapel) and Callan Correo ( Toxic Tango)
- 2015 – 2017 ‘Les femmes de Nicolas’ : Original music by Joke Van Oirschot and Rientje Van Oirschot. Collaboration with Kimberly Dhondt ( voice and lyrics), Liesbet Vermeiren ( double bass)
- Zuiderspershuis Antwerpen (support act of popmusician Bert Dockx) , Lo Petillant (Broechem)
- ‘ Theater aan de Stroom’: collaboration with Choreographer and contemporary dancer Michael Lazic ( Bach& Brel project)
- 2019 Album solo piano ‘ L’Espérance’
- 2024 alternating projects in the private sector as a pianist. Is active in various art galleries in Antwerp (Antwerp pianist bar/ Thomas Gallery, Museum Van Schone kunsten Antwerpen)
- She performs at wedding ceremonies, funerals, receptions celebrations.
- 2025 starting duo project with Lode Leire ( Contrabass) own compositions and arrangements of classical works and contemporary music.
- She works as a piano teacher and teacher of accompaniment practice at the music academy of Antwerp Mago!
Joke Van Oirschot is a versatile pianist, composer, and arranger whose music spans classical traditions and contemporary expressions. With a foundation in classical piano and argentinean tango piano , she brings technical precision and emotional depth to her performances and compositions.
Her latest album “L’Espérance” showcases her unique compositional voice, combining melodic sensitivity with rich harmonic structures. Beyond her solo work, Joke collaborates with various ensembles and artists, bringing her distinctive musical perspective to diverse projects.
Based in Belgium, she has performed across Europe, captivating audiences with her expressive playing and original compositions. Her arrangements have been praised for their creativity and musicality, reimagining familiar works with fresh perspectives.