We’re overjoyed to welcome Gile Bae to the Music Traveler family! Her story is one of prodigious skill, dedication, and global acclaim—making her a perfect fit as our newest ambassador. If you’re curious how someone can debut at the age of five and rise to perform all around the world, read on. There’s no doubt she’s overflowing with talent.
From Rotterdam to the Royal Conservatory
Born in 1994 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Gile Bae took the classical music world by storm before she even started elementary school. At just five years old, she appeared in South Korea as a soloist for Haydn’s Piano Concerto in C major, a performance most of us could only dream of at that age!
By six, she was already studying at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague under the guidance of Marlies van Gent. Her unrelenting passion for the piano eventually led her to the International Piano Academy of Imola “Incontri col Maestro,” where she graduated in 2017 under Maestro Franco Scala.
Collecting First-Prize Honors
From the moment she sat at the piano, Gile began amassing prestigious awards. She swept first prizes at major events such as:
- The International Steinway & Sons Piano Competition
- The EPTA International Piano Competition in Belgium
- The Maria Campina International Piano Competition in Portugal
- The Princess Christina Competition in the Netherlands
At 15, Gile clinched the top slot in the highest category of the International Steinway & Sons Piano Competition and was invited to perform at Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle. Having achieved so much so soon, she made the bold decision to step away from competitions altogether and focus on honing her artistry.
Performing for Royalty and Musical Legends
Gile’s extraordinary talent has led her to perform for some of the world’s most distinguished figures, including the Dutch Royal Family and several Nobel Prize laureates. In 2018, she was named a “Bösendorfer Artist” in Vienna—an honor she received in the presence of luminaries like Paul Badura-Skoda and Sir András Schiff.
With Sir András Schiff’s invitation, Gile participated in the “Building Bridges” project, showcasing her impressive repertoire at top venues across Europe, including De Singel (Antwerp), Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), and Konzerthaus (Berlin). She also graced audiences at the MITO Festival in Milan and Turin, Italy, and took part in several editions of the “La Milanesiana” Festival.
Conquering Stages Worldwide
A beloved guest of orchestras from England to Oman and Hungary to Spain, Gile has built an enviable global presence. She performed under Vladimir Ashkenazy during the 25th anniversary celebration of the International Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestro,” and dazzled at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Malta before the President of the Republic.
Teaming up with first chairs from the Teatro alla Scala, she appeared at Teatro Coccia in Novara and Teatro Claudio Abbado in Ferrara with the RAI National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Her frequent engagements at the Royal Opera House in Muscat (Oman)—where she returned in January 2024 to offer a recital and masterclass—demonstrate just how far her talent has taken her.
A Flourishing Discography
An ardent admirer of Johann Sebastian Bach, Gile has recorded the Goldberg Variations (most recently in 2019 for the Foné label), which she also performed at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. In addition to performing at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, you can also watch Gile’s captivating interpretation of J.S. Bach’s Fantasy and Fugue in A minor, BWV 944 here: YouTube Link.
In 2023, she unveiled a brand-new project with the Arcana label, featuring Bach Piano Concertos accompanied by the Archi di Santa Cecilia in Rome—offered in both audio and video formats.
There’s more to come: in 2024 and 2025, she’ll release multiple albums under the Universal label, highlighting music by Bach, Chopin (24 Preludes), and Schumann, all produced by Grammy Award-winner Michael Fine. With so much in the pipeline, it’s clear that Gile’s artistry is only continuing to grow.
A Grand Welcome
We couldn’t be happier that Gile Bae—virtuoso pianist, musical explorer, and trailblazer—has joined us as a Music Traveler ambassador. If you’d like to follow her fascinating career, be sure to check out her social media accounts and keep an eye on upcoming releases. With her boundless passion and unmistakable flair, Gile is sure to bring even more energy and inspiration to the Music Traveler community. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes us next!