Philippe Jaroussky: “I have always sought to expand the countertenor repertoire to other aesthetics”

After 25 years in the industry, Philippe Jaroussky has established himself as one of the finest countertenors of his time. For the past eight years, he has been dedicated to teaching and making classical music more accessible, mentoring new generations of artists and sharing his perspective on the future of a rapidly evolving sector.

How would you assess the past few years of the Académie Musicale Philippe Jaroussky?

Philippe Jaroussky: We are delighted to be celebrating our eighth season! I believe the Académie has firmly established itself in the musical education landscape. Our Jeunes Talents program welcomes students aged 18 to 30 who seek to refine their skills in singing, violin, piano, or cello. I think this curriculum has become one of the key stepping stones to launching a career in the field.

What about the Jeunes Apprentis program?

P.J.: We admit around 25 students aged 7 to 12 per cohort, for a three-year program with two one-hour lessons per week. They are selected based on social criteria such as financial resources or cultural background. Thanks to the Académie, many children have been introduced to instrumental or vocal practice. We now see that many of them are continuing their musical studies. They started at seven or eight years old, and today they are teenagers!

What are the short-term goals for the Académie Musicale?

P.J.: We are thrilled to announce the opening of a second branch in Pantin, scheduled for early 2027. This will allow us to extend our reach to two very different geographic areas. We also aim to introduce new instruments. I’m thinking about dedicated classes for Baroque instruments. People were surprised at first that we didn’t offer them, but we did have a Vivaldi cohort, and of course, there will be a Bach cohort!

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