Michael De Geest was born in Eeklo in 1982. He is the son of Edward De Geest, Ghent’s honorary cathedral organist and honorary director of the Arts Academy Eeklo. Michael graduated majoring in science and mathematics at the St. Vincent’s College in his native city and obtained the final certificate for organ and piano at the local Academy for Music and Drama, studying the piano in the class of his mother Monique Lanszweert and the organ in the class of Dirk Bruggeman. For the mastery of both instruments he also got the Special Prize and ‘Charter of the City of Eeklo’. As a youngster, Michael was also a choir member of the Schola Cantorum at the St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. 

His keen interest in mathematics and computer science earned him his master’s degree at Ghent University graduating in 2004. Michael also has a master’s degree in computer science and works in that qualification as a teacher of mathematics and computer science.

After his computer science studies, Michael studied organ under Ignace Michiels at the Ghent Conservatory. He was also much inspired by his then teachers Daniel Gistelinck (harmony and counterpoint) and Hans Lamal (improvisation). Michael specialized in baroque organ music with the Liege organist Serge Schoonbroodt. He attended master classes in organ with Helga Schauerte in Eckenhagen (Germany) and with baroque specialist Liuwe Tamminga in Urbino (Italy) during the ‘Musica Antica’ festival. Michael was titular organist in Ghent for more than twenty years: first in the St. Jacob’s Church (2000-2012) and then in the St. Nicholas’ Church (2010-2022).

Michael has already released recitals in Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, Denmark, Hungary and Japan. In chamber music, Michael plays together with oboist Dagmar Robben, Michael’s spouse. He is also a member of the Fuga Temporis ensemble.

Michael is chairman of the symphonic orchestra ‘Lumen Symphonicum’, which was founded in 2015 and is conducted by his brother David. He is also as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ghent Organ Center, a non-profit organization that organizes the annual organ concerts in July and August in St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent.

In 2022, Michael was appointed organist titular of the Carmelite Church in Bruges (Belgium), succeeding the famous organist Chris Dubois.

In June 2023, Michael was honored by the City of Eeklo as a deserving ‘Eeklonaar’ resident for his artistic achievements.