Show de Fin d'Année 2025 !
(costumes par @BertinYabre)
Team
Administration
Virgil de Voldère - Founder & Director
Bolesław Poniatowski - Director of Operations
contact: info@lpeny.com
(646) 504-9694
*******
Virgil de Voldère
Founder & Director
Virgil is the co-founder of the Virgil de Voldère Gallery a private contemporary art gallery. From 2005 to 2012 the VDV Gallery was a primary market gallery located in Chelsea representing a group of young and mid-career artists working across various media. These artists have gone on to achieve international recognition and exhibit their works in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris and at the Venice Biennale.
In September 2008, Virgil launched a French dual-language program at P.S. 84, a public school on 92nd Street and Central Park West, with the help of the NYC Department of Education, the French Embassy, EFNY (Education Française New York), and a team of active parents. P.S. 84 currently offers classes in K-5th grades and a French after school program for children and adults, providing over 300 families with French dual-language education.
From 2009 to 2011, Virgil has held a seat on the Upper West Side Community Education Council (CEC3, former School Board) and concentrates on promoting second language education in public elementary and middle schools. Since 2013 Virgil is now on the board of EFNY (Education Francaise New York) to help promote the creation of new French Dual Language Program in NY City public school.
Virgil de Voldère has a BA in Art History and Intellectual History from the Gallatin School, New York University. Born in Paris, Virgil moved to New York in 1998 and lives on the Upper West Side with his family.
Virgil was awarded the Palmes Académiques by the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and the Minister of French National Education Vincent Peillon for his contribution to French Education in 2014.
Bolesław Poniatowski
Director of Operations
Originally from Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Bolesław (Bolek) holds a Master’s in Human Physiology and began his career in 1999 teaching Biology & Geology in Paris. In 2003, he obtained his secondary-school Teaching Certification in Biology & Geology from the French Ministry of Education. He continued teaching in the suburbs of Paris before moving to New York and joining the Lyceum Kennedy in 2006.
During Bolek’s 12 years at Lyceum Kennedy, he held various positions including Biology, Geology and Living Environment teacher, Interim Head of School, Dean of Students and Dean of Upper School. He also led and facilitated the launch of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, where he served as Coordinator. In 2018, he received a Master’s Degree in Education from St. John’s University.
Bolek joined The École in September 2018 to bring his energy and experience to the administrative team. He served there as Deputy Head of School and Administration Director, focusing the last two years there on the Preschool building. He was involved during his four years at The École in many administrative developments and improvements (to name a few : medical room and nurses, bus services, no standing sign in front of the Elementary and Middle School Building, refinement of the Middle School, and the opening of the Pre-Nursery program). He organized the huge back to school picnics and at the now-renowned social gatherings, dances, and discos for students, parents and staff.
This is with high motivation Bolek joined in August 2023 La Petite École to bring again his energy, positive attitude and experience to the entire team.
Teachers - Assistant Teachers
Upper West Side
Aminata Cissé - Lead Teacher
Nolwenn Burban - Co Teacher
Ami & Nolwenn
Greenwich Village
Elizabeth Bruce - Co Teacher
Fatou Ndeye - Co Teacher
Jimena Faerber- Substitute teacher
Joëlle Ourigou - Co Teacher
Leah El-Ouazzane - Co Teacher
Naomi Lisiki - Co Teacher
Elizabeth
Fatou
Jimena
Joëlle
Léah
Naomi
Musiciens in Residence
Josephine Ancelle - Musician in Residence
Joséphine Ancelle grew up in Paris in a family of actors and musicians. She took her passion for singing to New York at the age of 18, where she developed her career by regularly performing at many of New York’s renowned venues, such as The Bitter End or The Living Room. She has been invited to play numerous times for French Institute Alliance Française’ (FIAF) events, as well as other French festivals. Between 2007 and 2011, Joséphine released one full length album, two EPs, and two singles of her Franco-American compositions, with her song Les “Je T’Aime” receiving radio airplay in France and Germany.
Shortly after joining the team of visiting artists at La Petite École in 2012, Joséphine began writing songs for the preschool, which focus on accompanying the children in their daily routine. She loves knowing that her songs are helping young children learn about the world around them!
In addition to pursuing her career in music, Joséphine completed her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2016, having found a new passion for this field that combines science, compassion, and creativity. Joséphine also became the mother of twin girls in 2016; her daughters inspired her to start teaching music classes for toddlers in French…
Retrouvez les musiques de Joséphine et Rémy sur leur chaîne Youtube!
Rémy de Laroque - Musician in Residence
Rémy de Laroque is our guitarist, song-writer and singer who teaches music to our children in both campuses.
Joséphine & Rémy
Nicolas
Nicolas Duchamp is an internationally acclaimed performer and respected teacher, in the tradition of the Paris Conservatory French school of flute playing, of which Philippe Gaubert was among the most famous. Born in Bordeaux France, he received directly the tradition of the French flute playing from his teachers in his native city.
Nicolas has served for many years as principal flutist for the National Opera Comique in Paris and toured extensively in his native France as well as Europe, Japan, China, Vietnam and North America.
Lunch & Naps Assistants
Upper West Side
Greenwich Village
Djoukou Diane Christelle
Khadidja