Fabienne Magnant studied classical guitar with Olivier Chassain and Roland Dyens, both currently professors at the National School of Music of Paris (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris). Most notably, she was awarded a first prize for the Paris Île-de-France region and a first prize for outstanding achievements for the free class of Roland Dyens, unanimously granted with honours. Fabienne Magnant then made two sojourns in Brazil (four months). In the course of her initial trip, in 1993, to Rio de Janeiro, the musician studied traditional percussions with Luis de Annunciacao. She collaborated with composer Guerra Peixe on his guitar-dedicated works; she met and performed alongside guitar player Baden Powell. Upon her return to Europe, Fabienne Magnant recorded her first album, “Mémoire Vivante” (“Living Memory”) comprising Brazilian works and music of the 20th century, which was released in 1995 by Night and Day Productions.

Fabienne Magnant then began to compose on her own, then created a duo with percussionist Paul Mindy. The duo recorded Fabienne Magnant’s second album “Canto Instrumental” in 1998, produced by Aubervilliers City Council, also distributed by Night and Day.

In 1999, thanks to support she received from SACEM (French society for the safeguard of copyrights and the promotion of professional artists), the guitar soloist and composer travelled to the Brazilian Nordeste, to Salvador de Bahia and Recife, seeking inspiration for the creation of her third album and show “Le Sens des Sens” (The meaning of Senses”). She then extended her sojourn in Rio de Janeiro, a city where she gave a live concert, and from which she returned with a viola caïpira -- a guitar with five double metal strings -- crafted by Do Souto, a famous Carioca instrument-maker. This particular instrument is emblematic of Brazil, it possesses a subtle sound, both delicate and deep; it was to become Fabienne Magnant’s favourite instrument for her own artistic conceptions. The album “Le Sens des Sens” which she composed was co-produced by Buda Music, a World Music artistic label  headed by Gilles Fauchaux, to be released in 2003 after a residency placed under the artistic supervision of François Kokelaere for the album and the show which resulted.

Fabienne Magnant’s unquenchable curiosity and quest continued in Andalusia where the musician improved her skills in Flamenco style at the Grenada School of Flamenco “Carmen de las Cuevas”, then in Paris for several years with the Flamenco guitar-player, Andres Serrita.

The artist now leads her career as a soloist and composer, using her three guitars: classical, Flamenco and viola caïpira. She thus created a new album called “La Trinidad” co-produced by Buda Musique and released in 2011. That particular album was distinguished as “Album Coup de Coeur” (Today’s crunch) in the periodical Muzzika (June 2011).

Fabienne Magnant performs as a soloist and with various fellow musicians, among whom Paul Mindy, in a trio with Luis de Aquino (seven-string guitar) and Dada Viana (percussions) and since 2008 with François Kokelaere (percussions including Tumba, Berimbau, M’Bira, etc.).

With the latter, she composed the show “Resonance”, a creation midway between Brazil and Africa, via the Caribbean and Spain, where the duo invented its own universe and tradition, full of energy and with subtle control at the same time. Since 2009, Fabienne Magnant’s solo compositions have been released by “Les Productions d’Oz”.

Fabienne Magnant teaches her three different instruments in the area of Paris, at Evry-Essonne school of music.