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The teaching staff

The American School of Modern Music stands out from other French music schools by its commitment to providing an exceptional teaching staff, chosen for their connections with the United States, but most importantly for their status as professional, renowned musicians who are active in the music world.

Leïla Olivesi

Pianist / Composer / Director
Leïla Olivesi, recipient of the 2022 Django Reinhardt Award, is a French jazz composer and pianist. Her acclaimed album ASTRAL earned top accolades, and she has collaborated with artists like David Binney and Manu Codjia. Currently Vice President of La Maison du Duke, she is also a speaker on jazz and Duke Ellington.

Raphaël Pannier

Drummer / Composer
Raphaël Pannier, Paris-born drummer and composer, studied at the American School of Modern Music, Berklee College of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. His debut album, Faune (2020), featuring Miguel Zenón, earned international acclaim, including “Best Debut Album 2020” by NPR. Known for blending jazz with diverse influences, his 2023 album Letter to a Friend explored jazz-electronic fusion. Now based in Paris, Raphaël collaborates with top artists like Biréli Lagrène and Thomas Enhco and teaches at the American School of Modern Music.

Denis Guivarc’h

Saxophonist / Composer / Arranger
Denis Guivarc’h collaborated with Magic Malik for 20 years, producing 7 albums and performing at prestigious festivals such as Marciac and the North Sea Jazz Festival. He has also worked with renowned artists like Paco Séry, Steve Coleman, and Baptiste Trotignon.

Lou Tavano

SInger / Author
Lou Tavano, a graduate of the American School of Modern Music, is a renowned French jazz vocalist celebrated for her unique voice and emotional performances. Blending multiple languages in her music, she gained international recognition with her debut album For You (ACT Music, 2016), praised for its originality and depth.

Guillaume Estace

CEO / Guitarist / Composer
Guillaume Estace studied at the American School of Modern Music, where he deepened his expertise in guitar, improvisation, harmony, composition, and orchestration. After receiving the Pierre Aguiton Scholarship from the General Council of La Manche and a World Scholarship Tour grant from Berklee College of Music, Guillaume relocated to the United States. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee in 2009.

Cédric Hanriot

Pianist / Composer / Producer
Cédric Hanriot is a pianist, composer, and producer known for his work with Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington. He contributed to Dianne Reeves’ Grammy-winning album “Beautiful Life” and blends jazz, classical, and hip-hop influences. His acclaimed 2022 album “Time is Color Vol.1” earned CHOC by Jazz Magazine and a spot in MOJO’s Top 10 Albums of the Year.

Alex Terrier

Saxophonist / Composer / Arranger
Alex Terrier, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, is a Paris-born saxophonist and composer based in New York. Leading international ensembles like the Alex Terrier Quartet, he has performed globally and is acclaimed for his album Roundtrip. Passionate about jazz, he also teaches and composes for visual media.

Louis de Mieulle

Bassist / Composer
Louis de Mieulle, Paris-born and ASMM, CNSM, and Berklee College of Music graduate, is a versatile composer and musician. Known for his jazz fusion and progressive rock albums, he has collaborated with Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) and Casimir Liberski. As a sideman, he has worked with Lulu Gainsbourg, Jean-Michel Pilc, and others. Now back in Europe, he focuses on film scoring, electronic music (as Louison), and repetitive improvisation with Moonsüün.

Anthony Jambon

Guitarist / Composer
Anthony, born in 1990, is a versatile guitarist with a foundation in classical music and a passion for jazz and improvisation. A graduate of the CMDL (Didier Lockwood Music Center) with honors, he has studied under renowned guitarists such as Pierre Perchaud and Manu Codjia. Anthony collaborates with artists like Sly Johnson, Lisa Simone, and Mayra Andrade, showcasing his rich influences across diverse musical styles.

Jean-Philippe Viret

Upright Bassist / Composer
Jean-Philippe Viret, born in Saint-Quentin in 1959, is a renowned double bassist and composer. A co-founder of the Orchestre de Contrebasses, he performed with Stéphane Grappelli from 1989 to 1997 and later established the Trio Viret, which won Best Group at the Victoires de la Musique in 2011 and 2020 for their album Ivresse. He also leads the innovative ensembles 60% de Matière Grave and Supplément d’Âme, and collaborates widely across jazz, classical, and world music projects.

Fabien Aubry

Arranger / Producer / Berklee Teacher
Fabien Aubry, a Swiss composer and producer, is a music production professor at the Berklee College of Music in Valencia. A graduate in Contemporary Writing and Production, he has collaborated with Latin-jazz artists such as Poncho Sanchez and has produced a variety of hip-hop and jazz-fusion projects. A recipient of multiple composition awards, he trains his students in cutting-edge music production techniques, including the use of virtual instruments.

Thomas Billon

Guitarist / Composer
Administrative and Financial Director of the American School of Modern Music, Thomas Billon holds a DEM in Jazz Music Education, graduated (Cum Laude) from the American School of Modern Music in guitar, and is an engineering graduate from Télécom. He applies his skills to ensure the smooth operation of the school: development of institutional partnerships, management, and teaching.

Master-classes

Stefano Di Battista

Saxophoniste / Compositeur
Né en 1969 à Rome, Stefano Di Battista devient saxophoniste de jazz et s’installe à Paris en 1992. Il joue avec Aldo Romano, Laurent Cugny, rejoint l’ONJ en 1994 et enregistre chez Blue Note. En 2021, il rend hommage à Ennio Morricone.

Jacob Collier

Multi-instrumentalist
Born in London in 1994, Jacob Collier is a celebrated musician, composer, and vocalist renowned for his extraordinary talent. Initially trained in violin at the Royal Academy of Music, he gained recognition after his viral rendition of “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing”, which caught the attention of Quincy Jones. A six-time Grammy Award winner, Collier has collaborated with renowned artists such as John Legend, Chris Martin, and Yelle. His groundbreaking album series, Djesse, with Vol. 4 released in 2024, showcases his unparalleled creativity and musical innovation.

Chad Smith

Drummer / Red Hot Chili Peppers
Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988, contributed to the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also a member of Chickenfoot and Bombastic Meatbats. Recognized as one of rock’s top drummers, he has collaborated with artists like Johnny Cash, Glenn Hughes, and John Fogerty. Smith is actively involved in charity work for young musicians and advocates for music education in U.S. public schools.

Kurt Rosenwinkel

Guitarist / Composer
Kurt Rosenwinkel is a leading American jazz guitarist and composer, celebrated for his innovative harmonic approach and influential style. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, his acclaimed albums like The Next Step and Star of Jupiter have shaped modern jazz. Rosenwinkel has collaborated with artists such as Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade, and he continues to inspire musicians through his label, Heartcore Records, and global masterclasses.

Randy Brecker

Trumpeter / Composer
Randy Brecker, legendary trumpeter and composer, has shaped jazz, R&B, and rock for over six decades. A 7-time Grammy winner, he’s worked with icons like Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, James Taylor, and Stevie Wonder, and co-founded the iconic Brecker Brothers Band. Known for his passion for Brazilian music and jazz fusion, his latest project, ‘The Hidden World of Piloo’ (2024), reflects his enduring creativity.

Sylvain Luc

Guitarist / Composer
Sylvain Luc, born in 1965 in Bayonne, France, is a world-renowned guitarist, acclaimed for his versatility across jazz, classical, and world music. Known for his collaborations with legends like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Biréli Lagrène, and Richard Galliano, his albums, including “Duet” and “Jazz & Cinema”, showcase his masterful blend of technical precision and emotional depth. A sought-after performer, Sylvain remains a leading figure in contemporary jazz.

Logan Richardson

Saxophonist / Composer
Logan Richardson, born in Kansas City, trained under jazz legends like Jay McShann and Max Roach before studying at Berklee and The New School. By 21, he was performing with masters such as Jason Moran and Billy Hart. Known for his innovative saxophone style, Logan’s albums include Cerebral Flow (2006), Ethos (2009), and SHIFT (featuring Pat Metheny and Jason Moran). Now based in Paris, he is celebrated worldwide for his unique sound and compositional depth.
Lionel Loueke - American School of Modern Music

Lionel Loueke

Guitarist / Composer
Lionel Loueke, a guitarist and vocalist from Benin, began playing guitar at 17 and studied at the American School of Modern Music, Berklee College, and the Thelonious Monk Institute. Praised by Herbie Hancock as a “musical painter,” he fuses African music and jazz into a unique style. A Blue Note artist, his acclaimed albums include Karibu and Mwaliko. Loueke has toured globally, including over 10 years with Hancock’s band, solidifying his place in contemporary jazz.

Raul Midón

Guitarist / Composer
Raul Midón is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and engineer who graduated from the University of Miami’s Studio Jazz Program. He has worked with legends like Herbie Hancock, Sting, and Dianne Reeves, earning two Grammy nominations in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. His acclaimed guitar duets album, “Eclectic Adventurist” (2022), features collaborations with Mike Stern and Lionel Loueke. Raul continues to tour, record, and work on his upcoming novel, “Tembererana”.

Ari Hoenig

Drummer / Composer
Ari Hoenig is a renowned jazz drummer, composer, and educator, known for his melodic and rhythmic innovations. Born in Philadelphia, he studied at the University of North Texas and William Patterson College before moving to New York to collaborate with artists like Chris Potter and Kurt Rosenwinkel. With acclaimed albums like Inversations (2006) and Golden Treasures (2022), Ari continues to blend cinematic composition with groundbreaking rhythms. He also teaches at NYU and The New School.

Jonathan Kreisberg

Guitarist / Composer
Jonathan Kreisberg is a New York-based jazz guitarist and composer known for his melodic approach and innovative textures. He has worked with jazz legends like Dr. Lonnie Smith and Lee Konitz, released ten albums, and regularly tours internationally. A dedicated educator, he has published books and instructional videos and runs the NEW FOR NOW intensive program.

Edouard Brenneisen

Composer/Video-Games
Edouard Brenneisen is an award-winning composer for video games, film, and television, trained at the American School of Modern Music and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. His work includes acclaimed titles like Overwatch 2, New World, and Call of Duty Mobile, with his score for New World winning the 2023 HMMA Award for Best Video Game Score. Known for blending orchestral tones, electronic elements, and world music, Edouard has also contributed to Yu-Gi-Oh!, Micro Monsters 3D, and League of Legends, where he served as Lead Composer.
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