A multidisciplinary artist, Björn Schmelzer studied anthropology and musicology. He is the founder and artistic director of the Graindelavoix project, a collective that brings together artists from different disciplines and focuses on the rehabilitation of ancient repertoires, exploring the fundamental anachronisms of artistic practices throughout the ages. Björn has come a long way in his research, initially in the Mediterranean region—Italy (Sardinia and Sicily), Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—specializing in vocal repertoire and performance practices. He studied various medieval vocal traditions, their perpetuation and survival over time, styles of ornamentation, and the logic of operative knowledge. By combining this work with information and knowledge from anthropology, history, human geography, and ethnomusicology, he has developed several original concert programs.

Björn has published several essays and articles in specialized magazines and academic publications. As a result of ten years of experience with Graindelavoix, he is currently writing a book on vocal practices. He has received several awards, including the Belgian music press's “Young Musician of the Year” award. In 2011, he became the first Creative Fellow in Musicology, a collaboration between the Utrecht Early Music Festival and the Center for Humanities at Utrecht University. In addition to his activities as artistic director of Graindelavoix, he has made films, both fictional and documentary, often related to Graindelavoix projects. As a playwright and director, he has collaborated on the following shows: Cesena, with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker's Rosas company; Muntagna Nera, with Filip Jordens and Jan Van Outryve; Ossuaires, with Koen Broos and Wim Scheyltjens; Trabe Dich Thierlein, with Margarida Garcia, Koen Broos, and David Hernandez; Hospital of Undersized Gestures, with Koen Broos and Margarida Garcia.