Bernard Winsemius studied the organ with Anthon van der Horst and Albert de Klerk at the Amsterdam Conservatory. In addition, he studied the carillon at the Nederlandse Beiaardschool (Dutch Carillon School) in Amersfoort.
His study was crowned with the Prix d'Excellence for organ (1970) and carillon (1971). He was awarded the Zilveren Vriendenkrans (Friends' Silver Wreath) by the Vereniging Vrienden van het Concertgebouworkest (Society of Friends of the Concertgebouworkest) in 1971.
For years on end Bernard Winsemius taught the organ at Rotterdam Conservatory and the carillon at the Dutch Carillon School. He has given masterclasses all over the world (for example Prague, Toulouse, London, Oslo, Rome) and has been a regular teacher at the International Organ Academy, Haarlem.
He is emeritus city carillonneur of Haarlem and Amsterdam. Nowadays, he is active as a freelance carillonneur.
In 1981 he was appointed organist of the historic organs of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam together with Gustav Leonhardt, a post he still holds today. His main focus lies on the music of the Renaissance and the Baroque.He has done numerous concerts all over the world and recordings for broadcasting companies, as well as for LP, CD and DVD.
