Contributors

Carine, co-founder and manager of the association Combustible since 2005, is an expert in structuring participatory projects in the cultural and social economy sectors, providing support to entrepreneurs in socio-cultural, digital, and sports initiatives. With a strong background in cultural project development and sociology, she also works as a consultant for D.L.A and brings two decades of experience as a musician in the DIY music scene, offering deep insights into contemporary music and live performance. Website

Indiana, with a background in Economics and a Master’s in International Negotiation focused on the Arab world, has worked several years on EU-funded projects promoting microenterprise and cultural development in Cairo, Egypt. An experienced translator for international organizations, she joined Combustible in April 2022, bringing her expertise in economic and cultural initiatives. She is mostly in charge of the following-up and reporting of Erasmus+ projects lead by Combustible.

Jacques Chabrillat, Ph.D. graduate in management sciences, is an expert in financial and budgetary engineering who directs pedagogical activities at AGECIF, collaborates with government agencies on training and consultancy, supports Le Moulin in Marseille, and sits on the board of the Eurockéennes festival.

Polymorphic artist, Jean-Louis has led the group Bubblies since 1991, conceived award-winning hearing risk prevention projects and pioneered the musical USB key in 2006. As a relay and advisor to numerous artists, he deploys his skills in project management strategy and team management. He is familiar with issues in the phonographic industry as well as those of developing artists.

Nick began his professional career in earnest at Greene Street Recording in NYC, recording and mixing for a variety of seminal Hip Hop and Alternative Music artists — including Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Rob Base, and Run DMC. His work in early Hip Hop attracted the attention of Sonic Youth, with whom he would co-produce and record the albums “Daydream Nation” and “Goo,” two critically acclaimed and historic alternative music releases. Sonic Youth’s “Daydream Nation” and Public Enemy’s “It Takes a Nation of Millions” and “Fear of Black Planet” were selected for inclusion in the US Library of Congress Archive of Culturally Significant American Recordings. Nick’s genre-crossing work has taken him around the world, producing music in Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Europe. In France, he found success producing multi-platinum recordings for the groups IAM, Zebda and Noir Desir. In all, Nick has been awarded over 17 Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Record awards worldwide.

Brianne has been with The Clive Davis Institute since its very early days in 2005. She began her time at CDI as the first Administrative Aide of the department, and as the department expanded, she became the first Administrative Coordinator. Now, in her role as Administrative Director, she is integral to the big picture planning and development for the Institute and oversees all day-to-day administrative activities, including managing the annual budget, advising and assisting students with issues, leading the admissions process, and scheduling courses and hiring faculty, etc.

Jeffrey Peretz is an educator and music professional affiliated with the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. His expertise encompasses various aspects of the music industry, including performance, production, and business. At the Clive Davis Institute, Peretz contributes to shaping the next generation of music industry professionals through his teaching and mentorship.

Marc Plotkin is an American Songwriting Award-winning artist, Grammy-shortlisted producer, Bloomberg BusinessWeek Top 25 Entrepreneur, and Associate Arts Professor at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. As a musician, he has collaborated with artists like Jon Batiste and Sufjan Stevens. Entrepreneurially, he founded “DecisionDesk” and “Wifi Music School,” both acquired by other companies. Currently, he leads Beast Music A.I., a music marketing system used by major record labels.

Errol Kolosine is an Associate Arts Professor and Director of Business & Technology at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He has extensive experience in soundtracks, licensing, and branding, serving as Music Supervisor for films such as “Being John Malkovich” and “V for Vendetta.” At NYU, Kolosine teaches innovative courses like “3D Printing & The Music Industry,” focusing on the intersection of music, business, and technology.

JD Samson is a musician, producer, and educator best known for her work with the feminist electro-pop band Le Tigre and later with MEN. At NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, she teaches and mentors students on subjects such as performance, identity, and the music industry, with a strong focus on LGBTQIA+ advocacy and community-building through art.

Bobby Wooten III is a composer/producer/instrumentalist raised in Chicago, IL. He has written/produced/recorded with David Byrne, Carly Rae Jepsen, Post Malone, Jennifer Lopez, Mac Miller, Jennifer Hudson, and others. Broadway credits include Moulin Rouge! and David Byrne’s American Utopia. In 2020, Bobby launched the internet series “America, Learn Your History.”

New York-based recording artist, writer, and professor Mike Errico has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed releases and extensive composition for film and TV. He has taught songwriting at universities including Yale, Wesleyan, and the New School, and was nominated for 2019’s David Payne-Carter Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is the author of Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter.

François Maton is the Director and Artistic Director of Atabal in Biarritz. He has over 20 years of experience in alternative music and cultural production. He co-founded the USOPOP Festival and has been instrumental in developing local music initiatives, including Rock Eskola (450+ students). His work focuses on bridging local and international music scenes and fostering emerging talent.

Cécile studied industrial and graphic design, fine arts and communication in Le Mans, Toulouse, and Hamburg. She graduated with a master’s degree about sustainable food, local economy, and Open Design. She was a founder of candiD design studio in 2015, aiming at creating open educational systems and tools. She is now involved in design, art and social projects in candiD and in Combustible. Cécile will coordinate the activities of the design group during Biarritz Symposium.

Irina Pentecouteau, an artist-designer from Toulouse, explores drawing, installation, and smells with a focus on memory and transmission. Co-founder of the studio candiD, she emphasizes cultural accessibility and community engagement, blending her artistic practice with education and collaboration across diverse projects and workshops. Irina will coordinate with Cécile the Design group during Biarritz Symposium.

Iker Durana Fdez. de Retana is the Director of Musika Bulegoa, the Basque Music Office based in Donostia. He leads the organization’s efforts to support and promote the Basque music sector locally and internationally through training, advocacy, and professional development, fostering collaboration between institutions and creative communities.

Iñaki Egitegi is a cultural manager and project coordinator at Musika Bulegoa. With a background in music and cultural programming, he contributes to initiatives that promote emerging talent, strengthen professional networks, and expand international opportunities for Basque artists.

Arkaitz Villar has been Project Manager at Euskal Herriko Musika Bulego Elkartea since 2019. He promotes Basque music at international industry events, leads the communication team, and organizes major gatherings like Kluster and DA! Pro. He also coordinates BASQUE. MUSIC.

After completing violin and orchestra studies, she continued exploring new styles and formats, delving into the string quartet and a band called Ibil Bedi. She later discovered cultural management and joined Musika Bulegoa to work in the music sector from another point of view.

Mathieu has been active in concert organization since 2007 and has hosted over 1200 shows. Since 2011 in Liège, he deepened his involvement in the alternative music scene. He now works at La Zone as music programmer, and contributes to graphic design, web development, and communication strategies.

Maxime Deflandre is Coordinator of La Zone and head of its slam program. A poet and visual artist, finalist at the Belgian Slam Championship and representative of Belgium at the Slam World Cup in Paris (2017). He oversees both administrative and artistic direction, organizing monthly slam events and workshops.

With a degree in Industrial Design, she co-founded Vectorealism in 2009, one of Italy’s first FabLabs and digital fabrication studios. A pioneer of the maker movement, she promotes accessible tools, shared knowledge, and innovative practices that help creatives turn ideas into reality.

Marco embarked on his career in Milan’s creative industry in his early twenties, with a strong inclination towards copywriting and digital content creation. He holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Studies and Management from the Catholic University of Milan and has contributed to diverse creative ventures and research projects.