Jan Michiels won a first prize  piano  to the  Royal Conservatory  at  Brussels  Bee  Abel Matthews . He perfected himself with  Hans Leygraf  to the  High School of the Arts Berlin . In 1991 he participated in the  Queen Elisabeth Competition , becoming one of the laureates. He would later return as a jury member. From then on, his domestic career was launched. 

Jan Michiels is a piano teacher at the  Royal Conservatory of Brussels , where he headed the "Contemporary Music" class.  On March 19, 2011, with "greatest distinction" he obtained the degree of  doctor of arts  with the defense of an original dissertation entitled:  Teatro dell'ascolto  (Worüber man nichts sagen kann, muss man spielen).

Jan Michiels regularly performs as a soloist. Also chamber music  takes his interest away. Of  Inge Spinette  he forms a piano duo. Internationally he has explored Europe and Asia and has performed with conductors such as Angus, Baudo,  Borejko , Edwards,  Eötvös ,  Nézet-Seguin , Rahbari, Rundel, Siebens, Stern, Tamayo, Pfaff,  Transmitter , Zagrosek. His name is also connected with the dance productions of  Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker , Vincent Dunoyer and Sen Hea Ha.