Natixis celebrates 10 years of partnership with the Paris Opera Academy
Wednesday 12 November 2025
Committed to promoting culture and nurturing the talents of the future, Natixis has supported the Paris Opera since 2015 as a founding sponsor of the Academy, a sponsor of the ‘Musicians in Residence’ program and, since 2022, a founding sponsor of the ‘Conductors in Residence’ program.
True to its mission of passing on artistic excellence, providing training, and stimulating creation, the Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris (‘Paris Opera Academy’) has welcomed more than 200 artists and craft workers from around the world as residents over the past 10 years. It has also developed artistic and cultural education programs and initiatives in France and around the world specifically aimed at young people.
Since its creation, it has pursued a dual mission: to prepare the artists and audiences of the future.
For the Academy, the passing on of knowledge is a priority
Each season, some forty young artists and craft workers in residence join the Opera Academy. Singers, musicians, directors, and conductors enjoy an opportunity to work with the Paris Opera and complete their artistic training. Alongside them, young craft workers specializing in sewing, hairdressing, wig-making and makeup, upholstery, carpentry, composite materials, and engineering hone their skills and practice their craft in the Opera’s workshops. This enables these artists and craft workers to come together during the Academy’s opera projects and Opera performances.
In the 2025/2026 season, Natixis is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Opera Academy and 10 years of its commitment to the Academy, a fine opportunity to once again shine a spotlight on the artists in residence.
Among the Academy’s many talents, in this video series of “Meeting the artists in residence” (‘Rencontres’), we discover Joséphine Korda, Swann Van Rechem, Simon Grimoin, Moeka Ueno, and Luis-Felipe Sousa, five passionate and inspirational artists. They are, respectively, a conductor, violinist, pianist-vocal coach, and bass-baritone.
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Joséphine Korda, conductor
Originally from Great Britain, Joséphine developed a passion for art and music at an early age before turning to conducting. She shares with us the challenges she faces as a conductor.
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Simon Grimoin, violinist
Born in Paris and raised in a family of musicians, Simon chose to pursue the violin. He hopes to one day join a major orchestra such as the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris.
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Moeka Ueno, pianist and vocal coach
Originally from Japan, Moeka was drawn to the piano from an early age. This pianist and vocal coach talks about her aspirations within a major European opera house.
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Luis-Felipe Sousa, bass-baritone
Originally from Brazil, Luis-Felipe is an accomplished artist, solo singer, and researcher in Brazilian music. This bass-baritone sees the practice of his art as a vocation.
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Swann Van Rechem, conductor
Originally from Lille and trained as a percussionist, this conductor with a passion for opera has participated in numerous opera productions in France and Europe.