Masterclass, Exploring « in C » | Tristan Lofficial

ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH HALL

What if music were invented in real time?

On 4 and 5 December, we will be delighted to welcome Tristan Lofficial back for a masterclass dedicated to In C, an iconic work by Terry Riley and a landmark piece of minimalist music. Composed of 53 musical patterns that performers repeat and combine freely, the work is built on listening, interaction and collective energy, making each performance a unique experience.

On 6 December 2025, an initial masterclass culminated in a concert featuring In C, performed by students of the Académie Rainier III alongside their teachers and the project coordinators, Louis-Denis Ott and Benoît Maurin.

Tristan Lofficial | biography

French pianist, improviser, performer and educator, born in 1968 in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Based in the Paris region, he has developed a rich and eclectic career at the crossroads of jazz, classical music, contemporary creation and the performing arts, with recognised expertise in dance accompaniment.

After winning First Prize at the Angers Conservatoire and obtaining his State Diploma, he established himself as a leading pianist specialising in ballet and contemporary dance accompaniment. He regularly collaborates with major national and international institutions, including the Paris Opera Ballet School, classes of the Paris Opera Ballet, the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (CNSMD), and the Centre National de Danse Contemporaine (CNDC) in Angers. His expertise has also led him to teach and accompany dancers at workshops abroad, notably at Architanz Studio in Tokyo, Bangkok City Ballet in Thailand, and the National Dance Academy in Rome, working alongside leading figures such as Élisabeth Platel, Bertrand Barena and choreographer José Martinez.

Alongside his work in dance, Tristan Lofficial demonstrates a wide-ranging artistic outlook. In the field of contemporary and minimalist music, he has taken part in major performances, including a continuous four-and-a-half-hour rendition of Dennis Johnson’s November at La Tannerie. A passionate jazz musician, he performs with the Bleu Citron Big Band and with his own trio. He also composes and performs music for theatre, collaborating with directors and actors such as Hélène Vincent and Danielle Volle.

A committed educator, he formalised his approach to teaching in 2014 with the publication of an educational project entitled Improvisation for Everyone (L’improvisation pour tous). His discography includes several albums of compositions and improvisations specifically designed for dance practice, including Floor Barre, Piano Improvisations.

Tristan Lofficial’s official website | tristanlofficial.com