Received Sylff fellowship in 2024, 2025
Current Affiliation: Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
Born in Paris, Florent is a classical pianist and multidisciplinary artist, laureate of 10+ international piano competitions. He regularly refines his skills with the eminent pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja, and has also shaped his artistic identity through the highly selective “Artist Diploma” program at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.
He previously had the opportunity to study in Paris with pianists Bruno Rigutto and Hortense Cartier Bresson, and went on to complete a Master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin, in the class of Eldar Nebolsin. At the same time, he has received guidance from renowned artists such as Janine Jansen, Tabea Zimmermann, Jean-Marc Luisada, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Kirill Gerstein, Pascal Devoyon, and Richard Goode.
Florent has toured Asia, performing in several concerts across China and Taiwan, including citiies such as Guangzhou, Macao, Taipei, and Taoyuan. He notably gave a series of public masterclasses at the Conservatório de Macau. As a soloist, he was invited to perform alongside the Orchestre Régional de Normandie as well as with the Orchestre des Lauréats du Conservatoire.
Supported by the DAAD, ADAMI, Société Générale, and the Tokyo Foundation, he was awarded First Prize and the Audience Prize at the "Claude Bonneton International Piano Competition" in 2017. He later won Second Prize at the "Nice Côte d’Azur International Piano Competition", and both Third Prize and the Audience Prize at the "Georges Cziffra International Competition". More recently, he has also received First Prize at the "Verão Clássico Awards" in Lisbon, the Grand Prize at the “Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition" in Seoul, and First Prize at the "Young Euregio Piano Award". In 2022, he was awarded First Prize at the "International Young Talents Competition" in Normandy.
Alongside his musical career, Florent is also passionate about theater. He studied Dramatic Arts at Cours Simon and then at the Nadia et Lili Boulanger Conservatory in Paris. In 2017, he directed a stage production based on the monologue "La nuit juste avant les forêts" by Bernard-Marie Koltès, blending theatre, dance, and improvised music. A resident at the Cité internationale des arts, he presented his first solo exhibition there, entitled "hope you find your paradise", connecting photography and music. He also took part in the creation of the show "Beethoven: dans l'oreille d'un sourd" with stage director Jean-Christophe Barbaud, in which he appears as both musician and actor, with the support of the Theatre of Fontainebleau.
For his latest work "d’après mussorgsky", he curated works commissioned to 10 visual artists, and merged them with music alongside a scenographer, costume designer, writer and light designer.
Academic Achievements, Social Engagement Initiatives
- Artist Diploma, a postgraduate Degree at Conservatoire National Supérieur de
Musique et de Danse de Paris
- Master Degree in Piano Performance, Hochschule für Musik 'Hanns Eisler' Berlin
- Master Degree in Music Pedagogy, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de
Danse de Paris
- Bachelor and Master Degree in Piano Performance, Conservatoire
National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
- Co-founder of multidisciplinary festival Sido&Co, in Paris
Brief Summary of Support Program Activities
"Sido&Co" is a multicultural music and arts festival designed to address the persistent lack of access to classical and multidisciplinary arts in the suburbs of Paris. Rooted in my personal experience growing up in these neighborhoods, the project seeks to counter perceptions of classical music as elitist or distant by offering high-quality, inclusive programming that reflects the cultural diversity of local communities. The initiative combines performances, educational workshops, and outreach to local schools and hospitals, ultimately aiming to empower youth, strengthen community ties, and foster a more equitable cultural landscape.
After months of preparation, this 4-days festival took place from the 6th to 9th of November. Through my partnership with co-director Camille Théveneau, we were able to create connections between the 10th district of Paris and its suburbs. As a result, the main event of he festival was shaped as an ambitious opening concert, free of entrance, taking place in the city hall of Paris 10e. Locals and children from Parisian suburbs were warmly invited to this event, and it happened to be a huge success, gathering over 200 attendees. Many social events were organized around the main opening concert. Among them, the children-targeted show "Prolégomènes Dumky", featuring 3 musicians originated from the suburbs, telling the process and hardships of a chamber music rehearsal. Local elementary schools were partnered in this event, and we hosted 4 different classes for the shows, totalizing over 100 children. A highlight of the performances was the enriching interactions the kids could have with the artists after the shows, asking many enlightening questions.
During these few days, a pair of musicians also performed in two different local hospitals, offering patients and medical staff alike a well-deserved musical break. These actions were warmly welcomed, as both institutions have already reached out in order to renew the offer. Last but not least, the festival also featured two other multidisciplinary events, taking place in an art gallery. Gathering both regulars from contemporary art galleries, artists, but also local attendees who became curious following the previous events, these evenings were an ideal mix between all backgrounds, allowing everyone to feel invited.
Over the course of the entire festival, our activities reached approximately 400 attendees, among which we could count over 100 children. Interactions during the festival also strengthened ties among cultural institutions, educators, and local communities. Beyond its immediate artistic and educational impact, "Sido&Co" has laid the groundwork for future editions and established a replicable model for inclusive, community-based arts programming in both urban and suburban contexts. The initiative demonstrated the transformative potential of culturally relevant artistic engagement and reinforced the importance of making the arts accessible,
mpowering, and reflective of the communities they serve.
www.lingflorent.com
