JAZZ ACTION VALENCE - L'Ecole des Musiques

What JAZZ ACTION VALENCE - L'Ecole des Musiques does

Jazz Action Valence (JAV) is a French Loi 1901 non-profit association operating in Valence (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) since approximately 1991-1992, delivering jazz and contemporary music education across three tiers: amateur courses (individual lessons across 10+ instruments and collective workshops), a two-year certifying professional program (Cursus Certifiant AMMA, registered at RNCP 37768, Level 5/bac+2, delivered by FNEIJMA), and continuing professional education for cultural sector professionals. The institution is hosted within the Maison de la Musique et de la Danse, a 3,400 m2 shared facility with a 259-seat auditorium managed by Valence Romans Agglo. Operations are led by a permanent team of 14 staff plus 24 teaching artists, overseen by an associative board (President Camille Gosset, Treasurer Marc Célestin, etc.).

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: amateur course subscriptions (registration fees plus annual membership of 15 EUR), professional training tuition (AMMA Year 1 at 5,860 EUR and Year 2 at 8,240 EUR, often subsidized by AFDAS/OPCO/CPF/France Travail and regional grants down to 1,000-2,500 EUR self-pay), and concert ticketing (membership at 40 EUR grants 10 EUR concert tickets; free-entry series such as Jazz Sur le Gazon). The organization is Qualiopi-certified, enabling access to French public training funding, and is supported by a dense network of institutional partners (DRAC, Région AURA, Département de la Drôme, Valence Romans Agglo, Ville de Valence, FNEIJMA, Conservatoire de Valence Romans Agglo) and concert venue collaborators (Jazz à Vienne, Crest Jazz Festival, La Cordo, Théâtre de la Ville de Valence).

The business is not technology-based: there is no proprietary software platform, and educational delivery relies on in-person instruction, workshops, masterclasses, masterclass visits from international artists (David Linx, Nguyên Lê, Lorien Testard), and live performance via the on-site auditorium and partner venues. JAV also operates JAV Contreband, a large-format ensemble that has released albums including "Let's Play - Tribute to David Bowie" (2021) and "ONETY ONE" (2025, with Nguyên Lê). A new cross-disciplinary AMMA x DNEM dual-degree program in composition for music and image is scheduled to launch in 2026 in partnership with the Conservatoire de Valence Romans Agglo.

Name

JAZZ ACTION VALENCE - L'Ecole des Musiques

Legal name

Jazz Action Valence

Website

https://jazzactionvalence.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jazz Action Valence is a French non-profit music school in Valence offering amateur jazz and contemporary music courses, a state-certified AMMA professional training program (RNCP Level 5), and a concert/performance program serving students, professional musicians, and the regional cultural community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF), Music Production & Composition (Songwriting, Recording, DJing) (EDAMAAAF), Music (Instruments, Voice, Music Theory) (EDAAAGAC)

Keywords

• Jazz music education
• Contemporary music training
• Professional music certification
• Amateur music lessons
• Live music concerts

Headquarters

HQ city

Valence

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Amateur Music Courses: Fees from amateur music lessons and collective practices for children, teens, and adults. Revenue is collected per student per season, with various payment options (lump sum, 3-4 checks, or 9-month direct debit). Reduced rates available for students, job seekers, and retirees.
2. Professional Training Programs: Revenue from certified professional training programs (Cursus Certifiant AMMA and continuing education). Year 1 costs 5860 EUR, Year 2 costs 8240 EUR. Funded through CPF, AFDAS, OPCO, France Travail, or self-funding with regional subsidies. Also generates revenue through registration fees (40 EUR) and annual membership (15 EUR).
3. Concert Ticketing: Ticket sales for concerts organized by Jazz Action Valence, including the seasonal concert series, Jazz Sur le Gazon (free entry), and JAV Contreband performances. Revenue from online sales, physical box office, and at-door sales. Reduced rates for members, students, job seekers, and group bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Jazz Action Valence is a Loi 1901 nonprofit music school offering amateur music lessons (individual instrumental/vocal instruction across 10+ instruments and collective practice workshops), a state-recognized two-year professional certification program (AMMA, RNCP Level 5) in jazz and contemporary music, and customized continuing education for cultural sector professionals. The organization also functions as a cultural venue and event organizer, producing a concert season, the JAV Contreband big band ensemble, and the annual Jazz sur le Gazon outdoor summer festival.

Product overview

Jazz Action Valence operates as both a music school and cultural venue, offering a three-tiered educational structure: amateur courses for hobbyist musicians (individual lessons across 10+ instruments plus collective workshops), a certifying professional program (AMMA Level 5 RNCP), and continuing education for cultural professionals. The institution also functions as a performance venue and event organizer through its concert season, the JAV Contreband ensemble (producing albums with international artists), and the annual Jazz sur le Gazon summer outdoor festival. Students benefit from professional performance opportunities including the on-site 259-seat auditorium and industry partnerships with regional cultural institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JAV Contreband: Grand ensemble heteroclite and iconoclastic big band of Jazz Action Valence, directed by Pascal Berne. Presents original creations on varied aesthetics including Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Carla Bley, Queen, Ella Fitzgerald, Thomas De Pourquery, David Bowie, and Jimmy Hendrix.

Products and services

• Cours Amateurs - Pratiques Individuelles et Collectives

Quantifiable outcome

• AMMA graduates can access other training pathways (conservatories, CEFEDEM, ESM) and are prepared for roles including performer, composer-performer, trainer, animator-technician, and teacher
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DRAC Auvergne Rhône-AlpescoreOthersRegional directorate of the French Ministry of Culture. Primary institutional funder and regulatory oversight body for cultural establishments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Provides operational funding and legitimacy as a recognized cultural institution.
• Région Auvergne Rhône-AlpescoreOthersRegional council providing funding and support for cultural and educational initiatives. Potential co-funder of training programs and cultural events.
• Département de la DrômecoreOthersDepartmental council supporting cultural projects in the Drôme department. Partner for departmental cultural programming and funding.
• Valence Romans AgglocoreOthersInter-municipal authority hosting JAV within the Maison de la Musique et de la Danse building. Provides facility space, administrative support, and integration with Conservatoire. Primary institutional host and partner.
• Ville de ValencecoreOthersCity of Valence providing municipal support and co-organizing Jazz Sur le Gazon summer concert series. Joint promoter of cultural events.
• SPEDIDAMminorOthersFrench society for the collective management of performers' and stage directors' rights. Represents and supports performing artists.
• FCM (Fonds pour la Création Musicale)minorOthersFund supporting musical creation in France. Provides grants and support for composition and creative projects.
• CNM (Centre National de la Musique)minorOthersNational music center providing support, data, and resources for the French music sector.
• AFDAScoreOthersFrench professional development fund for culture and communication sectors. Primary funder for professional training programs, providing partial or full funding for qualifying students.
• DatadockminorOthersData verification platform confirming training provider compliance with quality standards for funding eligibility.
• Fneijma (Fédération Nationale des Ecoles d'Influence Jazz et Musiques Actuelles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of jazz and contemporary music schools. Certifying body for AMMA professional title (RNCP 37768). Provides pedagogical framework, network of member schools, and professional certification.
• Jazz(s) RA (Rhône-Alpes)minorOthersRegional jazz network in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes connecting jazz schools, venues, and festivals for collaborative programming.
• SMA (Syndicat des Musiques Actuelles)minorOthersTrade union for contemporary music organizations in France. Provides advocacy, resources, and professional network.
• Grand BureauminorOthersRegional cultural network in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes supporting artistic projects and professional development.
• Miz'ampliminorOthersRegional music resource or amplification service provider in the network.
• Le Théâtre de la Ville de ValenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal theater in Valence serving as concert venue for JAV performances and co-producer of JAV Contreband events.
• La Cordo - Cité de la MusiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContemporary music venue in Romans-sur-Isère co-producing concerts and sharing programming with JAV.
• Crest Jazz FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual jazz festival in Crest programming JAV Contreband performances and providing performance opportunities for students.
• Le Train Théâtre (Nuit du Jazz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcert venue in Portes-lès-Valence hosting jazz programming including Nuit du Jazz festival with regular JAV Contreband performances.
• Lux-ValenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue in Valence programming jazz and contemporary music with member discount arrangements with JAV.
• Conservatoire de Valence Romans AgglocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartmental conservatory sharing the Maison de la Musique et de la Danse facility. Partner for dual AMMA x DNEM crossover program (from 2026), masterclasses, and student exchanges between jazz and contemporary music departments.
• Mistral PalaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue in Valence for concert programming and cultural events.
• Le Comptoir GénéralminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue or event space in Valence for jazz programming and performances.
• Radio MégaminorOthersLocal radio station in Valence area for media coverage and promotion of JAV events.
• Université Grenoble Alpes - Campus Valence Latour MaubourgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity campus in Valence near Maison de la Musique et de la Danse. Partnership for student cultural access and joint cultural programming through ADUDA.
• ADUDA - Agence de Développement Universitaire Drôme ArdècheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity development agency managing Maison de l'Etudiant and cultural programming for students. Partner since 2021 for joint cultural events, concert access for students, and performance opportunities for JAV students in university venues.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood: Dammarie-les-Lys school focused on jazz and contemporary instrumental music, offering structured training and performance opportunities. Comparable as a French regional jazz school with both amateur and pre-professional offerings.
• ARPEJ: Paris-region association providing jazz and musiques actuelles training, including amateur courses and a professional certification pathway. Directly comparable FNEIJMA-member non-profit offering jazz instruction at multiple levels.
• École ATLA: Paris-based school dedicated to jazz and contemporary music, providing instrumental and theoretical training with a performance-oriented pedagogy. Direct peer because it targets the same amateur and semi-professional musician segments in France.
• CIM - École de Musique Actuelle: Paris-based jazz and contemporary music school offering individual lessons, collective workshops, and professional training. Most comparable peer: another FNEIJMA-affiliated école d'influence jazz et musiques actuelles with a similar curriculum structure targeting amateurs and aspiring professionals.
• Music Academy International (MAI): Nancy-based contemporary music school with international faculty and intensive programs for jazz, pop, and rock musicians. Comparable as a French FNEIJMA-member jazz school offering both amateur courses and professional training pathways.

Regional players

• IMEP - Institut Musical d'Enseignement Professionnel: Belgian professional music training institute offering structured contemporary music curricula. Comparable as a French-speaking professional music school model, though serving a different national market.
• À Toutes Voix: Toulouse-based association offering amateur and professional training in vocal and contemporary music. Comparable as a regional French non-profit music school, but operating in a different geographic market from JAV.

Broad incumbents

• Berklee Online: Online division of Berklee College of Music offering self-paced contemporary music instruction globally. Comparable as an alternative channel for amateur/professional jazz training, but lacks JAV's local performance and certification pathway.
• Conservatoire de Valence Romans Agglo: Departmental conservatory sharing the Maison de la Musique et de la Danse facility with JAV and co-developing the new AMMA x DNEM dual program. Comparable as a French public music institution, but operating under the classical conservatoire model rather than JAV's musiques actuelles focus.

Others

• FNEIJMA (Fédération Nationale des Écoles d'Influence Jazz et Musiques Actuelles): National federation of French jazz and contemporary music schools that certifies the AMMA title and provides the pedagogical framework JAV operates under. Relevant as the ecosystem coordinator and certifying body, not a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/jazzactionvalence
• Instagraminstagram.com/jazzactionvalence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jazz-action-valence

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JAZZ ACTION VALENCE - L'Ecole des Musiques