Erik Desimpelaere (°Harelbeke, 28-06-1990) is a Belgian composer, pianist and conductor.

Erik Desimpelaere obtained a Master’s Degree in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels with Piet Kuijken and a Master’s Degree in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp with Wim Henderickx and Luc Van Hove. In 2018 he obtained a Bachelor Degree Orchestral Conducting at the Amsterdam Conservatory with Ed Spanjaard and Lucas Vis.

Erik Desimpelaere composes music for various settings, ranging from symphonic orchestra, musical theatre and symphonic wind band to chamber music and solo repertoire.  His compositions are founded on one of the basic principles of Western music: the interplay between two horizontal lines and the vertical result of this.  By combining this basic principle with a targeted use of the achievements from the 20th century and an interest in cross-over with jazz and pop, he is searching for a 21st-century language of his own.  As a composer, Erik has cooperated with various ensembles and artists. He also works as an arranger for several ensembles.