The Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has named PIERRE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN director, effective January 2, 2018. Van der Westhuizen will replace Daniel Gustin, who is retiring in 2018 after eighteen years leading the organization. Currently the CEO of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Van der Westhuizen is an arts administrator, pianist, and academic. A native of South Africa, he earned a bachelor of music degree from Northwest University in Potchefstroom, South Africa and DMA in piano performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He and his wife, Sophié, held teaching posts in piano at Heidelberg University in Ohio, where they developed a piano competition and festival over their six-year tenure.
Posted October 13, 2017
