Biography of Amine Kouider
Amine Kouider is an artistic director and conductor based in Paris for 30 years. He has built an accomplished international career marked by rich musical performances and has developed an artistic identity focused on fostering dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures.
A Charismatic Artistic Director
Amine Kouider founded and led various cultural institutions.
In the United Arab Emirates, Amine Kouider was named, in July 2024, artistic director and conductor of the UAE National Orchestra, which he contributed to creating and implementing.
In Saudi Arabia, he advised the Music Commission on creating the National Higher Music Institute of Riyadh before becoming the founding conductor and artistic director of the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir. He also advised the French Agency for the Development of AlUla.
In Algeria, he worked as an adviser to the Minister of Culture and was the project manager of the Algiers Opera House, where he later became the artistic director. He has also held the position of artistic director for the Algeria National Symphony Orchestra.
In France, he founded the International Philharmonic Orchestra – Paris, with which he held many concerts in prestigious music halls in France such as the Salle Gaveau or La Seine Musicale.
Amine Kouider has provided artistic direction for numerous diplomatic and cultural events (e.g., the Algiers summits of the Arab League, OPEC, and UNDP, ‘Algiers, Arab Capital of Culture 2007’, and ‘Constantine, Arab Capital of Culture 2015’). He has also led various artistic projects for French diplomacy in Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
A conductor with an international career
His musical personality is expressed in an energetic and spirited direction that has earned him great success while conducting renowned orchestras in France and abroad:
In France: Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, Orchestre Philharmonique de Marseille, Orchestre de l’Opéra de Toulon, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre Colonne, Orchestre Lamoureux.
Abroad: St Petersburg Opera Orchestra, St Petersburg Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra, Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Cairo Symphony Orchestra, Bucharest National Opera Orchestra, Durban Symphony Orchestra, Cuba National Symphony Orchestra.
UNESCO Artist for Peace
Passionate about intercultural dialogue, Amine Kouider has been named “UNESCO Artist for Peace”, a mandate renewed in October 2024. This experience led him to serve as an adviser for UNESCO’s Arabia Plan and to conduct numerous concerts supporting UNESCO campaigns.
A solid musical education
For four years, Amine Kouider has been Valery Gergiev’s assistant at the St. Petersburg Opera, Paris, Rotterdam, and New York. He has also participated in masterclasses directed by leading conductors, including Manuel Rosenthal, a disciple of Ravel.
This training allowed him to become the heir of a rich musical tradition and to evolve in a highly esteemed international artistic environment.
Amine Kouider holds a master’s degree in musicology from Sorbonne University in Paris. He trained at the Algiers, Marseille, Paris, and Copenhagen conservatoires, specializing in orchestral conducting.
Awards
Amine Kouider was awarded the title of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters (France) in 2023.
Curriculum Vitae of Amine KOUIDER
Artistic Director – Conductor – Project Lead – Artistic Consultant – Professor of Music
Presentation
A Journey of Excellence for Intercultural Dialogue
Amine KOUIDER is an Artistic Director and a Conductor with an accomplished international career whose artistic identity dedicated to
intercultural dialogue between East and West, particularly through musical fusions, has earned him the title of UNESCO Artist for Peace. He was recently named “Knight of The Order of Arts and Letters“ by the Minister of culture of France.
He has a long experience as a cultural manager which has led him to direct various cultural institutions (opera house, orchestras, music academy) and to ensure the artistic and musical direction of many high-level cultural events in France, in more than 10 countries in Europe and in more than 12 countries in the Arab world, the Mediterranean and the Middle East region, in partnership with various French Institutes.
This rich experience has led him to engage in the transfer of skills by carrying out international advisory and expertise missions for States and international organizations (development of cultural policies, creation of orchestras and musical institutions, musical training), giving conferences and educational concerts for young people from diverse backgrounds.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I – Artistic Director – Music Conductor – Music Consultant – Music Teacher
2024 – Present – Artistic Director and Conductor of the UAE National Orchestra
2023 – 2024 – Realization of the project France-Kuwait Orchestra
2023 – 2024 – Music Advisor at the French Agency of development of ALULA in KSA – Implementation Villa Hegra – French Cultural Centre
2022 – 2023 – Artistic Director, Conductor and Consultant for the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir (operational phase)
Music Consultant at music commission, for the strategy development and foundation plan of the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir (implementation plan, development musicians skills, recruitment artists, establishment training program, musical and artistic program, collaboration for the operational budget
2021 – 2022 – Advisor at the Music Commission in Saudi Ministry of Culture – Higher Music Institute (Full Project) : Activation strategy: direction, vision, mission, objectives, and management – Knowledge Transfer (in collaboration with Deloitte)
1997 – 2024 – Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the International Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir – Paris
2020 – 2022 – Fonder and General Director of Algeria International Music Academy – ACIMA
2016 – 2021 – General Manager – Artistic director of the Algiers Opera – Conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Algier Opera 2015 – 2016
Realization of the project France-Island Orchestra
2014 – 2016 – Artistic director, Algeria National Symphonic Orchestra
2014 – 2016 – Consultant to the Minister of Culture in Algeria – Elaboration of the national plan for music education – implementation and development of cultural policy strategies for the artistic production, development plan for the National Orchestra
2012 – 2014 – Artistic director, Algeria-France Symphonic Orchestra
2010 – 2013 – Artistic director, Champigny-sur-Marne Symphonic Choir and Orchestra (Parisian Region) 2010 – 2011
Artistic consultant UNESCO Arabia Plan
2008 – 2012 – Music professor, National Higher Music Institute – Algeria 2001 – 2008
Artistic director, Algiers Philharmonic Orchestra
1998 – 2004 – Musical director Paris International Orchestra
1997 – 2001 – Assistant conductor of Valery Gergiev at Saint Petersburg Opera House in Marinsky Theater
1994 – 2014 – Music professor Champigny-sur-Marne Conservatoire (Parisian Region)
II – Artistic General Manager / Special Events Organization
2021 – European 21th Music Festival in Algiers
2018 – Concert «Algeria-China»: concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of this cross-cultural relationship 2016
Inaugural Concert of the Algiers Opera, with the President of Algeria in attendance
2015 – Show at the Zenith in Constantine – “2015, Constantine, Capital of Arab Culture» festival”
2014 – Official show of «The Summit of Foreign Affairs Ministers of Africa» 2012
Concert «Algeria-France Friendship », Gaveau Hall, Paris
2007 – Concert closing of the «2007, Algiers, Capital of Arab Culture » festival 2006
Official concert of the «UNDP Summit»
2005 – Official concert of the «Arab Summit» in Algiers, in the presence of 22 leaders of Arab nations 2004
Official concert of the «OPEC Summit»
Skills
EVENT ORGANIZATION
- Organization and execution of artistic programming
- Organization of development of the artistic programs
- Organization of prestigious one-off cultural events
- Management/coordination of artistic and technical teams
- Project leadership and tracking, creation of detailed
- Production schedules
- Detailing of communication plans and broadcasting
- Budget creation and fund-raising
- Management of partners, negotiation and coordination
- Tour scheduling and hiring of musicians
- Development of a network of professional contacts
CONSULTANT AND MUSICAL TEACHER
- Organization of audits and implementation of projects
- Creation of cultural training policies
- Follow-up after Cultural Ministry orientations
- Organization of cultural “round-table” discussions
- Promotion of artistic creation and production
- Leading of music institute and academy
- Development of musical instruction plans
- Development of training facility projects
- Teaching master-level students
- Presentation of cultural programs on the radio
- Educational concerts for children
SUMMARY
Profile: Conductor and artistic director of classical and Arabic music, significant experience in the organization of concerts and large- scale cultural events. Large international network of musicians and other renowned performers.
Specialty: Mastery of all aspects of event coordination, from production to performance, including musical and artistic direction, budget management, team management, planning and organization of concerts, tours and special productions, management of technical and logistical needs.
Quality: Energetic and inspired musical direction, with noteworthy artistic competencies, a strong sense of professionalism, pragmatism, ability to adapt quickly to changing needs and situations, ability to motivate teams around projects, creativity, enthusiasm, pioneer-like mentality and team player.
Unique profile: International artistic background, based on intercultural exchange and dialogue, specialized in finding common ground between oriental and occidental cultures, invested in humanitarian programs of the UNESCO, goodwill ambassador and UNESCO artist for peace.
COURSES & DEGREES
- 1991 – University of Sorbonne Paris IV, Studies in class of master (maitrise) in musicology
- 1990 – Bachelor’s Degree in musicology, Higher Normal School (ENS) of KOUBA – Algiers (Arabic and western music)
- 1986 – Baccalaureate – S (Science Section)
Musical Studies
- 1995 Studies in the Conservatoire Royal Copenhagen in music conducting
- 1993 1st Prize (Accessit) in violin of Conservatoire National of Paris
- 1989 1st Prize in violin, Chamber Music and the Conducting of the Orchestra of the Conservatoire National de Marseille
- 1988 Prize of the City of Algiers for violin and 1st Prize of violin and solfege in the Conservatoire of Algiers
Courses and Master Class
- 1993 – 1997: As a musical conductor:
USA: New York Philharmonic Orchestra – Russia: Opera of the KIROV in St. Petersburg – Germany: Berlin State Opera France: Opera of Paris, Avignon Opera, Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France – Monaco: Orchestre of Monte-Carlo Switzerland: Geneva Orchestra, Orchestra of Zurich, Orchestra of Bales – Italie: Orchestre of Rome, Orchestre of Milan
MAJOR CONCERTS AS CONDUCTOR
France :
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra – Mulhouse Symphonic Orchestra – Nice Philharmonic Orchestra- Marseille Philharmonic Orchestra –
Toulon Orchestre of Opéra – Toulouse Capitol National Orchestre – Orchestre of Colone – Orchestre Lamoureux
International :
Saint-Petersburg KIROV Opéra Orchestra – Saint-Petersburg Philharmony Symphonic Orchestra
Saint-Petersburg State Orchestra – Saint-Petersburg Cappella Orchestra Bucharest National Opéra Orchestra – Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra Rotterdam Festival Orchestra – Reykjavík Chamber Music Orchestra
Durban Symphonic Orchestra – Tunisia Symphonic Orchestra – Cairo Symphonic Orchestra
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra – Saudi Arabia National Orchestra and Choir
UNESCO
Amine KOUIDER, « UNESCO artist for Peace »
The French-Algerian conductor Amine Kouider was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace in April 1999, in recognition of his commitment to promote tolerance and the culture of peace through his musical activities.
In 1997, he founded the International Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, working to spread the message of tolerance, peace and rapprochement of cultures through music. The International Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra was also named UNESCO Artist for Peace in April 1999.
As Artistic Director and founder of the Algeria-France Symphonic Orchestra, bringing together Algerian and French musicians, he champions the bridging of cultures between the two countries.
Mr Kouider supports the #UNITE4HERITAGE campaign led by UNESCO, which aims to highlight and safeguard cultural heritage and diversity around the world.
January 2019 – Heritage Education for Young People
November 2018 – End of commemoration of the centenary of the Great War
June 2018 – Reviving the spirit of Mosul
January 2018 – Protection of Museums in Conflict Zone #UNITE4HERITAGE
June 2017 – Protection of Museums in Conflict Zone #UNITE4HERITAGE
September 2016 – Celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the inscription architectural ensemble of Reims
June 2016 – Against the illicit traffic of cultural objects #UNITE4HERITAGE
January 2016 – Contre le trafic illicite d’objets culturels #UNITE4HERITAGE
June 2015 – The week of the ocean
February 2015 – Vulnerable children in Africa
June 2014 – Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the inscription of Chartres Cathedral
January 2014 – Operation Smile
December 2013 – Women’s Education in Senegal
May 2013 – The Children of Burundi
Honors
Amine KOUIDER, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
In recognition of his contribution to the dialogue of cultures and the influence of French culture in the Arab world, Maestro Amine Kouider, UNESCO Artist for Peace, was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by Mr. Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the United Arab Emirates, during a ceremony held in the presence of H.E. Mrs. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Amine KOUIDER
- UNESCO Artist for Peace
- Knight of Arts and Letters
