Raphaël Pottier, a fourth-year piano student in the Professional Program at IMEP • Paris College of Music, has been awarded a full scholarship* from Berklee College of Music!

He will follow the Performance major at the prestigious American school. The entire IMEP team extends its warmest congratulations!

THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL COVER THE FULL COST OF HIS BERKLEE EDUCATION.

Raphaël Pottier discovered improvisation almost by chance during Covid, having previously only played classical piano. Improvising alone, he developed a curiosity that led him to discover jazz, and in particular Erroll Garner, a true artistic revelation. Fascinated by his rhythmic freedom and instinctive approach, he immersed himself in this world.

What deeply appeals to him about jazz is the freedom of interpretation. The same standard, such as Autumn Leaves, can give rise to countless versions, each revealing the unique personality of the musicians. For him, jazz is above all a space for expression, listening, and collective creativity.

Neko Trio Band

The project was born out of a simple desire: to revisit the music of Studio Ghibli films in a jazz style. During Covid, Raphaël began improvising on the piano based on these soundtracks, which he knows by heart. From there emerged the idea of blending this melodic and cinematic universe with their jazz language.

The group also builds on an existing musical partnership, fueled by experimentation and hybrid arrangements, combining standards, pop, and various influences. The name Neko Trio, meaning “cat” in Japanese, refers both to the omnipresence of cats in the Ghibli universe and to the traditional nickname for jazz musicians, often called “cats.”

With rearranged covers and original compositions, the trio explores a deliberate fusion of Japanese culture and jazz tradition.

Berklee and IMEP

IMEP • Paris College of Music is the only music school in France to be one of Berklee’s academic partners. This status gives its students the opportunity, by studying at IMEP, to validate study credits transferable to Berklee College of Music in Boston.

*The full scholarship covers the student’s entire tuition (approximately $50,000 per year).