Graduated in 1987 at the Rotterdam Conservatory with the highest possible mark (A with distinction). He won several awards, a.o. The second prize at the first "Thelonious Monk Jazzpiano Competition"; soloist awards in Germany/Belgium, the Wessel Ilcken award (Holland) and the dutch grammy (Edison). Working as a teacher at the Amsterdam Conservatorium (CvA) & the Royal Conservatoire (Den Haag)