2025 Jury
Hadley AGREZ
Australia
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Hadley Agrez is the CEO & Program Director of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Australia’s largest jazz festival. Involved since 2018, he has extensive experience in curating and managing large-scale festivals, with a strong focus on international collaboration and artist development. The 26-year-old festival, held over ten days in October, features over 130 performances with 500+ artists, attracting 60,000 attendees. Beyond the festival, it runs year-round programs supporting sector development, education, and community access, fostering both established and emerging talent.
Clarisse ARNOU
France
Yotanka Records
Clarisse Arnou has been the manager of the French independent label YOTANKA since 2011, developing an eclectic roster of emerging artists, including Kid Francescoli. She began her career as an artist manager and, in 2017, became the manager, producer, and co-publisher of Thylacine. Committed to increasing gender diversity in the music industry, she joined the MEWEM mentorship program and, in 2022, became the first woman to preside over UPFI. A member of the Professional Council of the National Music Center, she was recognized among the 100 Femmes de Culture and received the Keychange Inspiration Award. In 2024, she was named Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Nicolas AURIAULT
Madagascar
Projet ONY
Nicolas Auriault is a music and media professional with extensive experience in production, management, and artistic direction. He served as Executive Director of RTA Madagascar (2018-2020) and Artistic Director of Libertalia Music Records (2016-2018) and co-founded ONY, a cultural initiative in the Indian Ocean. As the founder of Nicomad Production, he has produced music for television (TF1, France TV) and international live performances. A trumpeter, flutist, composer, and arranger, he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Manu Chao, Amadou & Mariam, and Didier Lockwood.
Divya BHATIA
India
Jodhpur RIFF
Divya Bhatia is a Mumbai-based independent festival programmer, producer, and performing arts consultant. As the Artistic Director and Co-Producer of Jodhpur RIFF, India’s leading roots music festival in Rajasthan, he actively curates and promotes music and theatre across India and internationally. He mentors the emerging Rajasthani group SAZ and has served on juries for prestigious awards like WOMEX and the Aga Khan Music Awards. A former Hindustani classical tabla player, he has also acted in films such as Paa (2009) and Talvar (Guilty, 2015).
Nicky BLUMENFELD
South Africa
Kaya FM "The World show"
NickyB is an award-winning DJ, music curator, and renowned radio producer. Since 1997, she has hosted The World Show on Kaya FM, a highly influential global music program. Known for her dynamic and immersive DJ sets, she has performed at major festivals like Bushfire Festival and the Paris New York Heritage Festival. A sought-after MC and speaker, she has served as a judge for prestigious awards (Kora Awards, SAMA). Passionate about education and artist development, she has played a key role in public art movements and cultural initiatives in South Africa.
Thierry BOYER
Reunion Island
Théâtres Départementaux de La Réunion
Thierry Boyer has been the General and Artistic Director of the Départemental Theaters of Réunion since 2023, overseeing Téat Champ Fleuri and Téat Plein Air, two major venues hosting 200 performances annually. A senior executive combining management and cultural expertise, he previously led the Société Publique Locale Réunion des Musées Régionaux and held key positions in local government, including at TCO and the City of Le Port. Committed to regional cooperation, he develops innovative cultural projects. A passionate musician, he plays the saxophone and practices opera singing, reflecting his dedication to artistic expression and cultural fusion.
Muthoni Drummer Queen
Kenya
Artiste-entrepreneuse
Since releasing her first EP in 2008, her music has explored themes of Kenya’s social landscape, the broader African experience, the human condition, and the state of women. Her work aims to awaken listeners to their inherent purpose and inspire a longing for greatness and freedom. Musically, she blends Hip-hop, Pop, Afrobeats, and Reggae/Dancehall, often described as Afro-diasporic. As a singer, rapper, and percussionist specializing in traditional drums from western Kenya, she navigates the fine line between alternative and mainstream sounds. Last year, she performed on IOMMa and Sakifo main stages and she presented a keynote at IOMMa about her artist-businesswoman journey.
Flora VALLEUR
Tanzania
Alliance Française de Dar es Salaam
For over 25 years, Flora Rousseau Valleur has managed international cultural and educational projects with passion and determination. Since 2021, she has been Director of the Alliance Française de Dar es Salaam, where she has transformed the space into an iconic cultural crossroads in Dar es Salaam. Having worked in Africa, Europe and the Indian Ocean, she has held strategic positions in institutions such as the Institut Français in Burkina Faso, the Africolor festival in France, and the Blankets and Wine and Africa Nouveau festivals in Kenya.
