An international reputation

Founded in Paris in 1982 by American drummer Stephen Carbonara, the American School of Modern Music draws on American university teaching programmes. The school welcomes musicians of different nationalities and combines in-depth academic training, artistic practice and professional development.

An international faculty and guest artists

Many ASMM teachers and guest artists are themselves alumni of American universities and music colleges. Raphaël Pannier graduated from Berklee College of Music and Manhattan School of Music; Guillaume Estace and Louis de Mieulle are Berklee graduates. Logan Richardson, who has also been welcomed for a masterclass, studied at Berklee and The New School. This first-hand experience informs the teaching and the support offered to students pursuing international study plans.

The faculty’s work on stage, in the studio and in creative projects informs its teaching. Students study musical language at an advanced level — music reading, ear training, harmony, writing and arranging — while developing independence in instrumental or vocal practice, ensemble playing, computer-based music production and recording.

Masterclasses introduce students to different artistic and professional approaches. Artists welcomed and listed by the school include:

Ari Hoenig, Biréli Lagrène, Camille Bertault, Chad Smith, David Linx, Jacob Collier, Jean-Marie Ecay, Jean-Philippe Fanfant, Joël Dufeu, Jonathan Kreisberg, Kaspar Jalily, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mike Clark, Nelson Veras, Nicolas Godefroy, Pierre Danel, Randy Brecker, Raul Midón, Reggie Washington, Stefano Di Battista, Steve Coleman, Sylvain Luc, Thomas Enhco, Tim Miller.

This list is not exhaustive. Explore the artists and events on the Masterclasses page. Some events are open to the public; others are reserved for students.

Pathways through several institutions

Support is shaped by each musician’s goals. Alumni pathways span several schools, conservatoires and universities in the United States and Europe.

Berklee College of Music: Lilou Chance, Belen Kirsch and Léna Maire received full-tuition scholarships announced by the school. Gilles Verron also received a scholarship. Théo Payen is a Berklee graduate.
Manhattan School of Music: Thomas Boisneau was admitted with a scholarship; Antoine Cara also studied there before continuing at The City College of New York.
The New School, New York: Marco Lewis, also known as Emiliano Austruy, and Solène Della Gaspera have studied at this institution.
Purchase College — State University of New York: Cyrille Aimée graduated with a MusB in Jazz Studies.
New England Conservatory (NEC): Théo Payen also studied there, according to his official biography.
CNSMD de Paris: Anne Paceo, Sébastien Llado, Cyril Drapé and Gabriel Zamora Cortese continued their training there. Cyril Drapé is both a former ASMM student and a former teacher.

These examples describe individual pathways at different dates. Admissions and scholarships are decided by the receiving institutions. The Further studies in France and abroad page brings together sources and more information about these pathways.

Careers across the music professions

Alumni also work internationally in performance, composition, music for film and other media, recording, production and teaching. Examples include Lionel Loueke, Cyrille Aimée, Anne Paceo, Stéphane Wrembel, John Ellis, Edouard Brenneisen, Louis de Mieulle, Guillaume Estace, Antoine Cara and Théo Payen.

This selection is not exhaustive. Former students develop their own projects and professional networks in France and abroad.