Dirk Brossé, born in Ghent, Belgium, is a multi-faceted composer and an internationally respected conductor. He began his music studies at the conservatories of Ghent and Brussels and subsequently specialised in conducting, studying in Maastricht, Vienna and Cologne, where he was awarded his conducting diploma by the Musikhochschule. Alongside his many guest professorships, he is currently Professor of Composition and Conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Ghent. Dirk Brossé has conducted all the leading Belgian orchestras and leading orchestras elsewhere in Europe, Asia and America. He was appointed by John Williams as music director and principal conductor of the international world tour of ʻStar Wars: In Concertʼ, which began touring in October 2009.