Biography - Marlies van Gangelen

Marlies van Gangelen (1988) is founder of the Dutch experimental ensemble PERFORATOR as well as oboist with The Kyteman Orchestra and the Berlin-based ensemble s t a r g a z e. As part of the latter ensembles she performed with the likes of Terry Riley, Bill Frisell, Bon Iver, Nils Frahm and Amanda Palmer. s t a r g a z e has signed a record deal with Transgressive Records and can be heard on Leonard Cohen's posthumous album Thanks For The Dance.

After receiving her Bachelor's in Classical Oboe, Van Gangelen moved to London to follow a two-year Master's in Leadership at the Guildhall School for Music and Drama (2012). During this course she focussed on artistic and creative processes in various contexts. She developed new skills as composer, artistic leader, improviser and performer.

While living in London she joined the London Improvisers Orchestra (2013-2014) and she became a member of the collective Africa Express, an initiative of Damon Albarn (well-known from Blur and Gorillaz). Marlies graduated at the Guildhall In 2014 with a composition for “deconstructed oboe”. The examining board found the concept behind her project an “exceptionally beautiful idea”, the composition itself was rated as “strong”.

Using unconventional playing techniques and electronics, Van Gangelen strives to produce a broad palette of new musical forms of expression.