Discovering Passion Through “The Blues Brothers” movie
Aurélien Froissart’s journey to becoming a renowned classical pianist began at the age of 12, inspired by a scene from The Blues Brothers movie. The iconic moment where Ray Charles played the piano in a shop ignited a spark in young Aurélien. He became suddenly determined to learn piano, despite having no background in music.
Undeterred by the odds, Aurélien convinced his parents to find him a piano teacher. Though many told him it was “too late” to start learning at his age, his relentless passion drove him forward.
Overcoming Challenges to Reach the Top
The classical music world is notoriously competitive, often dominated by prodigies who begin their training as young as five years old. As a teenager and a latecomer, Aurélien faced immense challenges. Even his first piano professor doubted his ability to succeed in reaching a professional level.
Fueled by these doubts, he pushed himself to catch up, practicing with unmatched discipline throughout his teenage years.
Yet, the journey was far from easy. “Feeling like I was always ‘too late’ gave me the biggest motivation ever,” he shared. His perseverance serves as a reminder that passion and hard work can defy the odds.
At 19, Aurélien’s dedication paid off when he was accepted into the prestigious Paris National Conservatory. Here, he honed his craft, won some prizes in some international competitions, and began performing in concert halls.
Exploring the world
At 22, after graduating from the Conservatory and achieving his dream of becoming a professional pianist, Aurélien faced a new challenge: the traditional world of classical music felt rigid and uninspiring. Seeking something more, he decided to take a four-year break from piano, and to explore life outside of music.
He went on to graduate in philosophy from La Sorbonne University, then lived in Thailand to train in Muay Thai, and ventured into entrepreneurship. After four years, his time of self-discovery eventually led him back to his first love—piano—with a fresh perspective.
Reinventing Classical Music for a Modern Audience
At 26, Aurélien restarted his career by bringing classical music to social media. Recording spontaneous performances on public pianos in train stations, he captured the raw emotions of his audience, making classical music accessible and exciting for younger generations.
His decision to embrace platforms like TikTok was met with skepticism from his peers at first, but Aurélien proved them wrong when, after dozens of unsuccessful videos, his video of Vivaldi’s Summer reached 100 million views—the first classical music video on Tiktok to achieve such a milestone.
Since then he has gained millions of followers and he broke a new record with his Carol of the bells video on Instagram (300 million views, third most-viewed ever video on the platform).
Finding Balance Between Art and Content
While his online presence skyrocketed, Aurélien remains deeply committed to his real-life piano career. He dreams of balancing his digital content with live performances that touch audiences on a more intimate level.
To achieve this, Aurélien plans to streamline his content creation process by hiring a dedicated team. “What really matters to me is playing on stage and giving real-life emotions to people all over the world,” he explained.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Aurélien credits much of his growth to lessons from his mentor, the american-polish pianist Michael Wladkowski, who instilled in him the belief that music is about emotion, not just technical precision. This philosophy has shaped Aurélien’s approach to his art and his content.
A significant realization for Aurélien was understanding the dangers of ego. By learning to silence his self-doubt and take risks, he unlocked new opportunities, whether in his repertoire, networking, or content creation. “Every time you see an opportunity but your inner voice says, ‘I can’t do this,’ people think it’s a sign of humility, but it’s actually ego. Because you’re holding yourself back by creating a fake image of yourself and wanting to protect it” -he reflected.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Aurélien’s journey—from an “outsider” in the classical music world to a global sensation—serves as a beacon of hope for those chasing unconventional dreams. His story reminds us that success is not confined to traditional paths but is found in pursuing what truly brings joy and fulfillment.
Today, Aurélien is not just a pianist; he is a pioneer, proving that classical music can resonate with modern audiences and inspiring millions to follow their passions. Through his music, content, and live performances, he continues to break barriers and redefine success on his terms.
Do follow him on Instagram.
