Audition Registration

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.

Thony Ritz

Producer / Ableton Live / Electronic Music / Remixing

A 2019 graduate of Abbey Road Institute Paris, Thony Ritz also shares his experience with students through teaching Ableton Live, electronic music production and remixing.

Antoine Martin

Music Production Teacher and Sound Engineer

Musician, sound engineer and producer Antoine Martin is the founder of Krispy Records. A drummer, composer, arranger and artistic director, he teaches a technical and creative approach to computer-based music production, from recording to mixing and mastering.

François Constantin

Percussionist / Ensemble Instructor

Acclaimed percussionist François Constantin has accompanied Nina Simone, Véronique Sanson, France Gall, Michel Berger and Johnny Hallyday. For more than thirty years, he has hosted the renowned Monday night jam session at Le Baiser Salé. As an ensemble instructor at ASMM, he shares his experience of live performance and playing in a group with our students.

Noé Sebban

Guitarist / Composer

Noé Sebban, a guitarist from Nice, gave his first concert at the Théâtre de Verdure at age 8. He studied contemporary music and jazz guitar at the Nice Conservatory before graduating from the American School of Modern Music in 2020. Currently, he teaches guitar at ASMM and is the lead guitarist and composer for the progressive metal band Snoe, while collaborating with artists like Adamé as a composer, arranger, and recording artist.

Aneta George

Compositrice / Chanteuse / Pianiste

Aneta George, a Macedonian composer, singer, and pianist, has worked on over 100 songs and mentored singers as a vocal coach. She has released three jazz/world music albums (Universalove, Playground, The Skopje Sessions) and performed internationally in the Balkans, France, India, and more. Her music has also featured in films.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nicolas Godefroy

Composer / Orchestrator / Guitarist

Nicolas J.C. Godefroy, award-winning composer and orchestrator, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music. He has worked on films (The Tale of Desperaux, The Cold Light of Day) and series (Battlestar Galactica), composed for brands like Google and McDonald’s, and created music for the Asian Games and Jeremy Monteiro.

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.

Master-classes

Biréli Lagrène

Guitarist / Bassist / Composer

Biréli Lagrène is one of the most influential jazz guitarists of the past decades. A musical heir to Django Reinhardt, he has built an international career since the 1980s, blending Gypsy jazz, fusion, and improvisation. He currently leads several projects, including an electric trio with William Brunard and Raphaël Pannier, and remains deeply committed to musical transmission through concerts and masterclasses.

Stefano Di Battista

Saxophonist / Composer

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.

David Linx

Singer / Composer

David Linx, Belgian composer and singer, is a key figure in European jazz. A multi-award winner, he celebrates his 60th birthday with Real Men Cry, alongside Grégory Privat and Hermon Mehari.

Jean-Philippe Fanfant

Drummer / Composer

Jean-Philippe Fanfant is a drummer and musical director of Guadeloupean origin. He has collaborated with renowned artists, including Sting, Kassav’, Tania Maria, and Julien Clerc. With 20 years of television experience, he is a national reference in music direction. Since 2020, he has been the musical director for France Télévisions and founded MizikLab, a platform for young musicians. He has also published three drum method books and teaches masterclasses worldwide.

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.

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”.

Kaspar Jalily

Guitarist / Composer

Kaspar Jalily is an award-winning guitarist, born in France to an Iranian father and a Dutch mother. He won the Six String Theory 2018 competition by Lee Ritenour and performed with Cory Henry after winning the “Trade it All” competition. With two Grammy nominations (2022, 2023), Kaspar is also recognized for his signature Vola KJM guitar and collaborations with brands like Puma and Red Bull. Active in France, he works with artists like Soolking, Soprano, and Louane.

Thomas Enhco

Pianist / Composer

Thomas Enhco is a jazz and classical pianist performing at major venues worldwide, including the Philharmonie de Paris and Montreux Jazz Festival. Trained at the Didier Lockwood Center and the Paris Conservatoire, he has won multiple awards, including the Grand Prix SACEM du Jazz. His albums include A Modern Songbook (2023) and Thirty (2019).

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.

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.

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.

Back to Top