with the support of IMEP - Royal Higher Institute of Music and Pedagogy
NEXT EDITION POSTPONED TO 2025
The Jury (by alphabetical order) - 2021 Edition
Luc Baiwir (President of the Jury)
Pianist – Composer - Producer
Luc Baiwir's reputation is well established. From classical music to electronic music, Luc is at ease in many styles. His talent and devotion to music has allowed him to rub shoulders with the greatest artists and to perform on the greatest stages around the world.
Today he is considered a true reference, especially in the composition of music for underwater and animal documentaries.
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Ayrton Desimpelaere
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Conductor – Pianist – Vocal coach
In June 2015 in Moscow, Ayrton Desimpelaere made a name for himself by directing Yury Bashmet's Moscow Soloists at short notice during the semi-final of the Tchaikovsky International Competition. A few months later, the “Opéra Royal de Wallonie” hired him for four seasons as assistant conductor. Lecturer in orchestra since 2017 at IMEP, he is also of professor of orchestral conducting, choral singing and vocal coaching.
On September 12, 2019 he received the “Wallonia Medal of Merit” for his contribution to Wallonia’s cultural influence.
Nicolas Draps
Violinist, composer, arranger - Producer – Photographer
Versatile musician, Nicolas likes to explore all styles. Classical, jazz, pop, rock and electronic music are part of his daily life. Since 2015, he has been producing and developing a personal and creative project in collaboration with guitarist Diego Higueras, a duo for guitar and electric violin called “Landscape Magazine”, whose first album “To The Land” was released in March 2018.
In addition to his intense activity as a musician, Nicolas teaches the violin and chamber music and is also a photographer.
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Rhonny Ventat
Saxophonist – Composer
After appearing alongside the greatest personalities in show business (Gilbert Montagné, Sacha Distel, The Magic Platters, Julien Clerc, Francis Lalanne, David Hallyday, Garou, Tina Arena, William Sheller for his tours in 2000 and 2005, ...) and having performed as a soloist with the biggest names and the greatest national and international orchestras, Rhonny now devotes himself to his own projects. Classical, Jazz, Funk, Blues, House music, world music and personal compositions are now part of his daily life.
Rhonny is also a saxophone teacher at the Conservatory of Verviers and at IMEP.
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Françoise Viatour
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Mezzo-soprano
If the voice is the mirror of the soul, Françoise Viatour sings as she is: open to the world, warm, colorful, sensitive and touching. Her charisma and talent allowed her to sing on the most beautiful stages in Europe and Asia.
A curious woman, in perpetual research, always questioned, refining a real quality of listening, in the manner of artisans, she is also a teacher of lyric art singing at the Higher Institute of Music and Pedagogy in Namur.
Her devotion for teaching brings her students to the highest level.
Secretary of the Jury
Philippe Lehaen
Pianist - Director of the Royal Academy Cesar Franck in Vise
Christelle Knops
Deputy Director of the Royal Academy Cesar Franck in Vise.
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