Jean-Claude Gengembre began studying music at the age of 9 at the Conservatory de Lille, where he obtained the first prize for percussion and musical training. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory, where he graduated in 1997 with a first prize in percussion.

He has been the Solo timpanist of L’Orchestre National de Lille (1996 to 2006), the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (2007-2012), and from June 2012 to September 2013 he was the principal timpanist of the Rundfunksinfonieorchester Berlin. In September 2013 he was reinstated as Solo Timpanist of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

Jean-Claude is also the guest timpanist of the followings orchestras: Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre national d’île de France, Die Anvers Filarmonie, Das neue orkester Köln, Rundfunksinfonieorchester Berlin, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jean-Claude gives lots of masterclasses in France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain and Korea. Jean-Claude teaches at The Paris Conservatory and The Conservatory de Lille.

Alongside his percussion activities, Jean-Claude Gengembre is an active composer. He won the 1st prize in composition at the Conservatoire de Lille in 2001 and first prize in Harmony in 2003 at the Paris Conservatory.

He has written for many music schools, festivals, soloists and ensembles. His catalogue includes twenty works for solo instruments and large ensembles. His works are published by Alfonce production, editions G.Billaudot, and editions Petitpage.