“Masks and Dances” – Nour Ayadi, Piano solo
Nour Ayadi presents “Masks and Dances,” a solo piano recital organized by the French-American Piano Society. The program explores contrasting colors, styles, and dance-inspired forms through works by Rameau, Couperin, Royer, Poulenc, Stravinsky, Debussy, Granados, and Brahms.
A French-Moroccan pianist, Ayadi began studying piano at age six and continued her training at the École Normale de Musique de Paris and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, graduating with highest honors. She has also been an artist-in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and the Haute École de Musique de Genève, where she worked with artists including András Schiff, Maria João Pires, and Nelson Goerner. Her distinctions include the First Grand Prize at the SAR Lalla Meryem Competition in 2016 and the Cortot Prize in 2019, and she was nominated for the 2024 Victoires de la Musique Classique.
Ayadi has appeared at international festivals including La Roque d’Anthéron, the Verbier Festival, and Les Folles Journées de Nantes. Her collaborations include conductors and orchestras such as Petri Sakari, Augustin Dumay, Christophe Koncz, and Mikko Franck, as well as cellist Gautier Capuçon. Her recordings include an acclaimed album of Schumann and Poulenc and a newer release centered on Faust in literature and music.
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Showtimes: 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Run time: Approximately two hours, based on the scheduled performance time.
Program: Works by Jean-Philippe Rameau, François Couperin, Pancrace Royer, Francis Poulenc, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, Enrique Granados, and Johannes Brahms.
Tickets: $45
Organizer: French-American Piano Society
Venue: La Maison Française, Embassy of France in the U.S., 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Admission requirements: Every attendee must have a reservation in their own name and present a government-issued photo ID matching the name on the ticket. Guests should bring either a printed Eventbrite ticket or a ticket displayed on a phone.
Security: All attendees are subject to security screening. Umbrellas, large bags, backpacks, animals, liquids, food, blunt objects, helmets, and other items considered dangerous are prohibited and may be confiscated. Guests should arrive promptly to allow extra time for screening.
Parking: The venue has no on-site parking. Metered parking on Reservoir Road costs $2.30 per hour, with a four-hour maximum until 10:00 pm. Garage parking is available at Georgetown MedStar Health via Entrance 2 at 2800 Reservoir Road NW, at approximately $25 for up to three hours.
Photography and recording: Registering for the event constitutes consent to being photographed or recorded and permits the organizers to use attendees’ images and likenesses for promotional and archival purposes.
Additional background: Alongside her performing career, Ayadi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public affairs from Sciences Po Paris, where she lectures and participates in discussions on social issues. She is active in music education through masterclasses, is pursuing the Certificat d’Aptitude teaching diploma at the Paris Conservatory, and was named a Classeek program ambassador in Switzerland in 2025. That year, she was also awarded the rank of Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.