Eric Lesage

Biography

Pianist, teacher, musicologist, and concert performer, Éric Lesage is a Senior Professor of Artistic Education at the Montauban Regional Conservatory. He holds the Certificate of Aptitude for piano teaching and a Master’s degree in musicology, specializing in contemporary piano composition. As artistic director of the Musique en Vignes festival in the Fronton region, he welcomes internationally renowned artists and supports promising young talents. Since 2017, he has regularly participated in Opus 74 – Académie des Arts de Flaine at the invitation of pianist Bertrand Giraud, the Academy’s director.

Éric trains both aspiring professionals and dedicated amateurs, nurturing each student’s individuality through a blend of group and individual instruction. His pedagogical approach emphasizes enjoyment, attentive listening, and the intelligent management of intensive practice. Drawing on functional anatomy, mental preparation, and performance psychology, he guides students in concentration, breathing, and efficient movement. His teaching prioritizes aural and sensory development, score analysis, and improvisation. Many of his students have earned their Diploma of Musical Studies and continued on to successful higher education.

He studied at the conservatories of Tarbes and Toulouse with Thierry Huillet and Michel Dru, and pursued musicology at the University of Toulouse–Jean Jaurès. From 1992 to 1994, he trained at CAFEDEM in Bordeaux, earning his State Diploma as a piano teacher. Between 1994 and 2001, he refined his artistic and technical research in Paris with Monique Déchaussées, while also developing skills in accompaniment with Sabine Vatin. Encounters with Philippe Cassard, Bernard Flavigny, Alain Motard, Françoise Cochet, Marie-Françoise Bucquet, and Denis Badault further enriched his musicianship. Pianist and pedagogue Guy Teston played a decisive role in shaping his artistic identity.

Éric performs widely in France and across Europe as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral soloist, and accompanist. He dedicates much of his work to the violin–piano duo with his wife, Céline, championing the music of Oreste De Maurizi. Together they explore Slavic, Gypsy, Classical, and Romantic repertoire, and founded the Café de Maurizi ensemble, recording Tes Yeux Noirs Gipsy (Maguelone, 2019). He also gives masterclasses and concert-conferences throughout Occitanie, France, and Europe.