• Increasing memory skills
• Teaching perseverance
• Creating a sense of pride and accomplishment
• Nurturing self expression
• Improving reading, comprehension and math skills
• Exposing students to new cultures and theories

Alexandra Lamia - Guitar, drums & ukulele

Hello, I'm Alexandre Lamia, I'm 26 years old, and I’ve been teaching guitar and drums at ISN for 5 years now. I also compose a lot of film scores, and video game music too. I would be more than happy to accompany you in learning to play the guitar, ukulele and drums, and to help you discover all kinds of styles! My goals are to always make playing music fun and joyful; to join up with other people to play together; and to keep you passionate about all things music. If you are keen to start these instruments or to keep improving if you already play them, then I’d love to teach you at ISN Nice!

Michelle Salzman - Piano

Michelle Salzman has been teaching piano at ISN since 2005. Her students have passed both practical piano and theory Associated Board of the Royal School of Music exams with marks of distinction and merit. She has a Bachelors degree in piano performance from Montclair State University and a Masters degree in collaborative piano from Westminster Choir College.

While living in the United States, Miss Salzman worked as a pianist for ballet companies, opera companies, and oratorio societies. She also accompanied vocal and instrumental master classes. After relocating in France, she continued to work as an accompanist, notably for the School of Dance Rosella Hightower in Cannes, as well as for local choirs. She soon established herself as a piano teacher, working at ISN and at the music school in the village of Fayence, as well as teaching privately.

Miss Salzman speaks French fluently. She can also teach in Italian and German.

Ave Kruup-Kani - Piano

After finishing high school in Estonia I studied piano in Germany and graduated with a Pianist Diploma at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim (Prof. Ragna Schirmer). I received my Master's of Music degree with Distinction at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe (prof. Kalle Randalu). I have participated in many master classes with world renowned pianists such as Prof. J-F. Heisser, Prof. K-H. Kämmerling, Prof. F. Rados, Prof. B. Ringeissen, Prof. J-E. Bavouzet, Prof. F. Solter, Prof. W. Blankenheim. During my year of Master's I was awarded a Fellowship as an accompanist at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. I have won many prizes as a pianist at International Competitions and given concerts as a soloist and chamber musician in many countries around Europe.

Alongside my performing career, teaching is also a great passion of mine. I carry the gene that runs in the family, my grandmother was a teacher and so is my mother. Over the past 20 years I have taught hundreds of students in Germany, UK and France. I have adjudicated children's piano competitions  and prepared my own students for the ABRSM music exams with great success. I regularly organise concerts for my students to give them the opportunity to perform at their highest ability. Some of my pupils have gone on to study music at university level.  Others study for their own enjoyment.

It is clear that playing the piano is very useful for any child's development. It helps improve memory, concentration, coordination, fine motor skills and teaches perseverance. For some people music can become another language or a place to recharge oneself. ISN provides an excellent opportunity for pupils to have music lessons right at the school. I look forward to meeting you!

Valérie Trubert - Voice

Valérie Trubert is a singing teacher and vocal coach. She has taught singing at ISN since 2006.

She has a Bachelors in Drama and a Masters Degree in Performing Arts, and has had singing training with Maestro Kurt Wronke Marion in Nice and the bass baritone Geoffrey Walls in Liverpool. She passed the LAMDA teaching certificate (Musical Theatre) in 2017 with distinction, and has also completed many courses and training such as Estill Voice Training System, David Féron training, courses with the phoniatrist Guy Cornut, and the phoniatrist osteopath Jean-Blaise Roch.

Today, she teaches vocal techniques, singing (in the musical theatre course and the modern music choir) at the Université Côte d’Azur, and singing and music theory at Les Arts d’Azur Music School. She trains Master MEEF (Métiers de l'Enseignement de l'Éducation et de la Formation) students in singing, preparing them to become music teachers, and has recently joined a master of communication teaching team at a new campus in Cannes.

Allowing everyone to free their voice to express an artistic sensibility in every repertoire has always been her goal and passion.

Marie Gabrielle Lepage - Flute

Marie Gabrielle Lepage, born in Australia, has been playing the flute since the age of 7. She began her music studies in Nice in the class of Jean Ornetti. She won first prize at the age of 14 at the Conservatoire National de Région de Nice in her instrument, as well as in chamber music and music theory. The following year she was admitted to the Conservatoire Nationale Supérieure of Paris. Holder of the flute professor State Diploma, she shares her knowledge with her students at the International School of Nice as well as at ‘Les Arts d'Azur’ music school, of which she also ensures the educational coordination with two other teachers.

Passionate about pedagogy, she has participated on several occasions in artistic creations in different schools. Also holding a state nursing diploma, she has often acted as a concert performer in many healthcare settings. Marie Gabrielle has traveled through France and Europe and in different parts of the world, playing in various formations - flute and guitar duo, flute and piano, flute and harp, flute quartet, various chamber music formations. She has also composed several musical illustrations for plays. Marie Gabrielle Lepage performs in a large range of styles; her repertoire includes many different pieces going from the Renaissance to our contemporary era. Attracted by diversity, her concert programs combine classical, modern and traditional music. Marie Gabrielle is the interpreter of this universal instrument in order to encourage encounters beyond borders and cultures.