ABOUT

Jean-Michel Fonteneau is a distinguished Franco-American cellist and educator currently serving as Artist-Teacher at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. As a founding member of the acclaimed Quatuor Ravel, he performed at prestigious venues including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, garnering prizes at the Evian International String Quartet Competition and Victoires de la Musique Classique.

Throughout his career, Fonteneau has collaborated with renowned artists including Leon Fleisher, Menahem Pressler, Kim Kashkashian, and members of the Amadeus, Tokyo, and Juilliard Quartets. His expertise spans both modern and baroque performance practice, as evidenced by his regular appearances with historically informed ensembles and his extensive discography on Albany Records, MSR Classics, and Centaur Records.

Prior to joining Longy, Fonteneau held distinguished positions at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Lyon Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique, France, where he pioneered innovative chamber music curricula and mentorship programs. His pedagogical approach integrates technical mastery with holistic development, emphasizing both artistic excellence and professional preparedness. This comprehensive methodology has produced successful performers, educators, and musical entrepreneurs who have appeared at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and major festivals including Verbier and Tanglewood.

A sought-after clinician, Fonteneau maintains an active presence on the international festival circuit, including long-standing faculty positions at Yellow Barn and appearances at Beijing International Music Festival and Academy, Domaine Forget, and Orford Music Academy. His enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists is reflected in his philosophy of developing self-actualized musicians equipped with both artistic depth and professional resilience.