hiː bɪɡˈæn stˈʌdiɪŋ piˈænoʊ æɾ ˈeɪdʒ ᵻlˈɛvən wɪð bˈɑːb bɹˈaʊwɚ ænd lˈeɪɾɚɹ æt ðə swˈiːlɪŋk kənsˌɜːvɐtˈoːɹiəm wɪð dʒˈæn wˈeɪən wˌɛɹ hiː ɡɹˈædjuːˌeɪɾᵻd ˈɜːli wɪððə hˈaɪɪst ɹɪzˈʌlt ˈɛvɚ, ɐ tˈɛn wɪð dɪstˈɪŋkʃən.
He began studying piano at age eleven with Bob Brouwer and later at the Sweelinck Conservatorium with Jan Wijn where he graduated early with the highest result ever, a ten with distinction.