Frank van de Laar is a Dutch pianist and Steinway Artist, born in Laren, North Holland, in 1965.
He began playing the piano at the age of ten. He studied with Jan Wijn at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, graduating with the highest distinction in 1989. He continued his studies with Karl-Heinz Kämmerling in Hanover and Naum Grubert in Amsterdam.
Van de Laar made his debut in the Main Hall of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw in 1988. Since then, he has appeared as a soloist in most European countries, as well as in Russia and India. He has also taught piano as a principal-subject instructor at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and the ArtEZ Conservatory in Arnhem and Zwolle.
His repertoire ranges from Bach to contemporary composers, and he is active in chamber music. He has made CD, radio and television recordings. Together with the Spanish pianist Patricia de la Vega, he has given masterclasses for several years at the Stift Festival in Weerselo and Oldenzaal.
In 1987, Van de Laar received third prize at the International Brahms Competition in Hamburg. He won first prize at the Postbank-Sweelinck Competition for Dutch pianists in 1988, followed by the Jacques Vonk Prize in 1989, the Round Lutheran Church Prize in 1990, and the Slovak music critics' prize in 1993.