The Alps Agreement Team

Raphaël Balanche

Born in Annecy in 1990, Passionate since childhood about music, crafts, history and science. I started in piano restoration in 2011, initially through internships with Mr. Bauduin Jullian, then a young Piano Maker in Annecy,

These experiences were exciting and enriching, however Mr. Bauduin could not take on an apprentice at that time, and really wanting to work with him in the restoration of instruments but still hesitant about my ability to make a living from it as a professional, I continued my path in science and undertook engineering studies at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon until 2016.

The world of engineering being less exciting for me, in particular, with what I had known in instrument making and after having dissipated my fears, I made the decision to leave this field to return as an apprentice. officially by Mr. Bauduin under the aegis of the European Institute of Music Professions (ITEMM) in Le Mans.

In addition to pianos, I learned about the restoration of baroque instruments (harpsichord, clavichord, spinet, etc.) but also reed instruments like the harmonium.

Independent craftsman since February 2020, as a tuner and instrument restorer, I continue to enrich my skills with organ and harpsichord makers such as Mr. Dominique Chalmin in Chambéry while maintaining a regular collaboration with Jullian Bauduin.

Lucas DaPont

Born in Haguenau in 1994, I have always had an attraction to classical music and more particularly the piano, whether on the radio, in films or even video games. It was therefore obvious when I discovered that training as a piano technician existed during my retraining process.

A profession combining piano and craftsmanship was there.

This is how in 2017 I began training as a piano technician at Itemm where I was trained alternately by Nicolas Bruère during my 2 years of CAP then by the Atelier du Piano with Sébastien Baudry and Pierre Sojberg during my BMA.
During my training I was able to work in several workshops and therefore observe and learn the particularities of the know-how of these craftsmen which really made me discover the richness of this profession combining cabinetmaking, marquetry, acoustics, attention to detail and rigor. A job that requires versatility and in which you can spend your life learning.
After spending some time as an employee I wanted to continue the adventure on my own in order to continue practicing and sharing this relatively unknown profession.

Having met Raphaël Balanche during our training and continuing to exchange after obtaining our diplomas, the idea of a collaboration ended up germinating.

It is therefore very enthusiastic that I see myself joining forces with this technician with whom we share the same respect and taste for the profession.