Maarten Verbiest (b. 1994) was born blind as an extremely premature baby. Already as a toddler, he was enchanted by music. When he was seven, he began studying classical piano in Bruges. In 2009, he moved to Ghent, and the following year he started studying jazz piano with Sergio Biffi at the De Kunstbrug Academy. A few years later, he picked up classical piano again and began studying with Katrijn Friant.

Slowly, he also developed a fascination for an instrument that unites so many instruments within itself and offers an ultimate richness of sounds: the organ. In 2017, he began studying with organ teacher Paul De Maeyer.

Meanwhile, Maarten regularly plays solo organ concerts and performs in shows alongside an orchestra, solo vocals, or a choir. By playing various organs—each with its own touch, diverse registrations, and specific acoustics—Maarten developed a personal affinity and love for the instrument. The richness of the organ’s sounds also gives him, as a blind organist, an intense spatial feeling.

Maarten consistently presents surprising organ programs, primarily featuring early music by composers such as Georg Friedrich Händel, Dieterich Buxtehude, or William Byrd. However, his fascination still lies with the composer he loved so much as a toddler: Johann Sebastian Bach.

Because of his visual impairment, Maarten has learned to rely on special talents: a colossal memory to memorize an extensive repertoire, absolute pitch that perceives sound with extreme precision, and finely developed motor skills. This results in a remarkable expertise and sensitive interpretations in his musical performances.

Maarten also studied music history at the De Kunstbrug Academy and is currently taking courses in harmony/composition. He also sings in the Helicon choir at De Kunstbrug.