About Us
The new lied duo comprised of Stephanie Daelemans (piano) and Graham Cooper (tenor) was formed in 2022 to compete in the Triomphe de l'Art Lied competition in Brussels, where they were finalists and received a special prize from Antwerpen LiedFest. A particular focus of their work is Belgian and Irish compositions, which they enjoy incorporating with more well-known German and French repertoire. They also were awarded second prize in the International Clara Schumann Competition 2022 and International Mozart Competition 2022 and are looking forward to a busy competition schedule in the current season.
In 2023 they were one of eight duos selected to participate in the Udo Reinemann International Masterclasses. Thanks to this opportunity they have received masterclasses from Christianne Stotjin, Sir Thomas Allen, Arnold Bezuyen, Julia Kleiter, Peter Kooij, Philippe Herreweghe, and Jard van Nes
The duo has a passion for sharing music with the widest possible audience. They strive to perform not only the established repertoire, but also hidden gems from composers of their native lands. They want to step back from the tradition of performing complete song cycles and instead create new combinations of songs that at first glance have nothing in common but because of their underlying themes tell a refreshing new story.
Stephanie
Stephanie Daelemans (BE, 17/02/1997*) began her studies at the Kunsthumaniora Brussel. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in the class of Piet Kuijken where she successively obtained the following diplomas: Bachelor music writing class of Wouter Lenaerts, Master degree piano class of Piet Kuijken and an educational Master at the KCB/EHB/RITCS. That same year, she also studied at the Académie Supérieur de Musique Strasbourg HEAR with Amy Lin. During her studies at the conservatory she was regularly taught by assistants Hans Ryckelynck, Katia Veekmans and Marco Mantovani. After her studies she followed a postgraduate in the concert examen program with Nikolaas Kende at the Royal Conservatory Antwerp and took regular lessons with Philippe Raskin. She’s currently enrolled for an additional master chamber music at LUCA School of Arts Leuven. She’s also a postgraduate student piano accompaniment at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels under supervision of Anne Opdebeeck and at the Orpheus Institute Gent for advanced chamber music.
She participated in several competitions both solo and chamber music where she already managed to win several prizes in Belgium, France, Spain, Slovenia and Italy (Concours Guy Brodelet 2nd prize, Vlamo competition for small ensembles 1st prize Belenos duo, Stephan de Jonghe competition 5th laureate, Franz Liszt Center Piano Competition 2nd prize, Orbetello International Piano Competition online 2nd prize and the Danubia Talents International Liszt edition Competition 2nd prize).
She also took master classes at home and abroad with, amongst others, Hiroko Fukushima, Vincenzo Balzani, Markus Groh, Oxalys Ensemble, Toon Fret, Lucas Blondeel, Gilead Mishory, Vitaly Samoshko, Christiane Karajeva.
Since a young age she has been a committed chamber music player in different ensembles. She is a founding member of ensembles such as Belenos Duo a violin-piano duo, at the age of 17 they won the 1st prize at the Vlamo competition for small ensembles. Currently she’s a member of Duo Duende, founded in 2021 at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels with saxophonist Joris Rompen with whom she performed several times at the Klara festival and the Walter Boeykens festival. The duo is pursuing an extra master in chamber music at the LUCA School of Arts and is selected for the advanced chamber music course at the Orpheus Institute Gent. She also freelances with ensembles such as The Bird Collective and performed with the Walter Boeykens Ensemble.
Apart from specializing in chamber music she is a frequently asked freelance accompanist. Due to her studies in piano accompaniment at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels she’s got the opportunity to accompany master students at final exams and auditions f.e. Santander Audition Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia Madrid. She worked with the Cinematic Art Choir led by Stefano Cucci. She accompanied on a freelance base at international competitions such as Triomphe de l’Art Liedcompetition, Ostbelgiën Next Generation Competition, Michel Becquet International trombone competition,... and auditions for orchestras such as the Koninklijke Muziekkapel van de Gidsen.
She works as an accompanist at the Kunstacademie Ter Beuken Lokeren. Since 2018 she conducts the InstapOrkest Bornem.
Graham
Irish tenor Graham Cooper (b. 1993*) is already drawing international attention as an accomplished soloist. Highlights from the current 2022/23 season include performing the role of Ferrando in Escales Lyriques’ Cosi Fan Tutte in Théâtre Les Cytises, jumping in as DUP Soloist in Abomination - A DUP Opera in Theatre Royal Brighton, singing Bach’s Cantata BWV 99 “Erschüttre Dich, Nur Nicht” with Philippe Herreweghe in the Concertgebouw Brugge and premiering James Wood’s Apokalypsis, a work for 16 solo voices, in De Bijloke and Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
Graham's first stage experience was performing the roles of Prince Yamadori with Bath Opera in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and both Don Curzio and Basilio in Edinburgh Studio Opera’s production of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. He has since performed in Milhaud’sTrois Opéras-Minute in Musikakademie Rheinsberg, the Komische Oper Berlin in the chorus of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in the chorus of Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethe’s Faust. He has also enjoyed semi-staged performances of Handel’s Esther and Messiah with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Sestina as a soloist. As a concert soloist Graham has convinced as the Evangelist in von Herzogenberg’s Die Geburt Christi, a tour of Charpentier’s Music for the Sun King with players from the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and a world premiere of Anne-Marie O’Farrell’s Civil War Cantata with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra under the baton of Ciarán Crilly as well as enjoying regular performances of the standard repertoire of composers ranging from Bach to the present day.
Graham works regularly with world-class orchestras such as the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Salzburg Camerata, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and the Irish Baroque Orchestra in collaboration with conductors including Philippe Herreweghe, Harry Christophers, Eamonn Dougan, Sophie Jeannin, Peter Whelan, and David Bates. Also an accomplished ensemble singer, Graham has already performed in all of the major concert halls in Europe and enjoys an exciting concert schedule, singing regularly with Collegium Vocale Gent in Belgium, Sestina and the Irish Baroque Orchestra in Ireland/Northern Ireland, and Echo Vocal Ensemble in London, England. He also sings with Balthasar-Neumann Chor and Vocalconsort Berlin in Germany and Chamber Choir Ireland and Resurgam in Ireland. 2022/23 highlights include a tour to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with Collegium Vocale Gent to perform Mozart’s C Minor Mass and a tour of Bach’s Johannes Passion with the small ensemble of Collegium Vocale Gent.