Willy Fransen (Genk, Belgium, 1946) studied trumpet at the Municipal Music Conservatory of Hasselt and at the Conservatory of Antwerp. Having followed master classes with renowned conductors such as Jan Cober, Arnold D Gabriël and Eugeen Coperon, he rapidly grew to become one of the most prominent conductors of Belgium.

His first orchestra was the Royal Harmony of Peer, which he transformed with young talent into an internationally acclaimed brass band orchestra and with which he achieved excellent results in the first division of the World Music Competition in Kerkrade on three occasions.

Since 1969, Willy Fransen has been a teacher in general musical education at the North Limburg Music Academy and he has also been active within several federations and associations.

He is also a passionate conductor of, among others, Frau Luna, the Wizard of Oz and Koning Tijd. In March 2003, he conducted his youth musical “De Sleutelkinderen” with text by An Melis and Tine Devens. For the music publisher Beriato, he also conducts at the annual music week for youth, “The Beriato Experience” in the town of Helchteren.