Koen van Stade received his initial training as a boy soprano in the 
St Laurence Cathedral Choir in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. He went on to study Singing with Peter Kooij and Max van Egmond; Church Organ with Jos van der Kooy; Conducting with Harold Lenselink and Church Music at both Amsterdam Conservatorium and The Royal Conservatory of The Hague. 
After graduating, Koen continued his vocal studies with Paul Hameleers. He specialised in Gregorian Chant at the Schola Cantorum Amsterdam.

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During his studies, Koen had already begun working as an ensemble member of the most prestigious Early Music groups in Europe, including Collegium Vocale Gent (Philippe Herreweghe) and The Amsterdam Baroque Choir (Ton Koopman). He sang more than 2,000 concerts in major international cities on every continent with these ensembles, and recorded over 60 CDs and hundreds of radio and television broadcasts. Several of these CDs were awarded international prizes including the Diapason d'Or (twice), the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (twice) and the Choc de la Musique.

 

In 2003 Koen became a member of the vocal chamber ensemble The Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam (Harry van der Kamp). With this ensemble he participated in the premiere recording of the complete works of Dutch composer Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck. This project resulted in a 20 CD collection which received an Edison Award from the Queen of the Netherlands.

 

After relocating to Australia in 2009, he worked as an Academic Tutor at
St John’s College, University of Sydney and as a Vocal Tutor at the King’s School. He is currently a Lecturer at the Historical Performance Faculty of Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and Vocal Tutor at Sydney Grammar School. 

Koen van Stade appears regularly as soloist with the Australian Piano Duo, and as conductor, soloist and ensemble member of Sydney’s leading groups including The Song Company and Pinchgut Opera.