BreakBachDance: The 2024-2025 Belle Époque Magique Season Begins

At LAS, we believe in the transformative power of the arts and their value to our community. Over the years, we have created an arts program that fosters creativity and growth, providing students with opportunities to explore and develop their talents. The Belle Époque Magique concert series was reestablished two years ago and has been an exciting and dynamic addition to our school’s arts offerings. This series, which features performances by renowned musicians and artists, brings together local and global talent to benefit our students and the wider Leysin community.

During the 2024-2025 season we will welcome three artists-in-residence, each offering performances and some offering workshops in English and French. These sessions and performances offer experiential learning opportunities where students can interact with experts and develop their creativity through active participation! The experiential music and art these performances offer are essential components of our learning ethos, allowing students to gain new knowledge and skills in a way that differs from traditional classroom learning.

This week, we were thrilled to host the first event of the season: BreakBachDance, an innovative performance that blends baroque music, electronic soundscapes, and contemporary dance. The production, first performed in Aigle last spring, brings together an eclectic group of artists to reinterpret J.S. Bach’s iconic cello suites. Cellist Guillaume Bouillon performed alongside Swiss musician Matthieu Mantanus, who added electronic elements to the classical works, creating a vibrant and contemporary sound. The dancers of KFM Crew infused the performance with energy, using breakdance to bring Bach’s music to life. Adding to the visual performance were video animations by Swiss artist Philippe Berbier, who created a dark, urban backdrop that complemented the music and dance.

This week's performance was an unforgettable evening of music, movement, and visual art. BreakBachDance was an impressive fusion of past and present and pushed the boundaries of what a classical performance can be! We are really excited to host our next Belle Époque Magique performance in January, the Amadeus Piano Quartet. Check out our website to learn more!