He was born into a musical family in Tienen, Belgium. An academic Conservatory career culminating in advanced level distinctions in piano, composition and orchestral conducting in Brussels, was followed by postgraduate diplomas at the ‘Guildhall School of Music and Drama of London’ and at the famous ‘Juilliard School of Music’ in New York. While studying there and participating in masterclasses by Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta, he was appointed music director of the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony.

Until mid 1995 Robert Casteels was Head of Conducting Studies at the ‘Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel’, where he conducted symphonic concerts and opera productions. Recently he has been involved in developing a multi-cultural conservatory in Singapore, first as Head of Music and now as Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts. He has also participated in many outside activities including conducting the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Wind Symphony, the Philharmonic Winds, the National Institute of Education Symphonic Band, and the Choir and Symphonic Band of the National University of Singapore.

Robert Casteels has composed a large number of multi-disciplinary works, which organically combine the Gamelan orchestra, European, Indian and Chinese instruments as well as computer-generated sounds and visual images. For these cross-cultural works, Casteels designed special tuning and notation systems.

During the Gerard Mortier era at the Royal Opera House of Brussels, when ‘La Monnaie’ was one of the world’s leading centers for lyric renouveau, Robert Casteels become staff conductor. During this period he gained invaluable experience in casting, coaching, conducting and managing opera productions. This was quickly followed by the highly praised TV broadcast of Wolfgang Rihm’s opera, ‘Jakob Lenz’ that led to a number of exciting chamber opera and music theater productions.

Robert Casteels has conducted ballets, operas and symphonic repertoire mainly in the U.S.A., Australia, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong and Belgium. Orchestras and festivals appreciate his sharp efficiency and keen musicianship. Original ideas for programmes are part of his enthusiasm to communicate and inspire the audience.

His repertoire extends from the early classics to contemporary music. He has conducted first performances in festivals such as ‘Ars Musica’, ‘Wien Modern’, ‘Donaueschingen’ and ‘Brisbane’.