After the Conservatoire (1880-1885)

As soon as he had dropped out of school, Debussy became an accompanist to Nadezha von Meck; both traveled across Europe in order to give performances. Later, he would also join up with Pachulsky and Danilchenko in order to perform his trio composition; they would become known as the Nadezha von Meck trio.

Debussy later also played as an accompanist with other notable singers, such as Madame Moureau-Sainti's singing classes.

After meeting Henry Vasnier Debussy became teacher to his first pupil, Georges Cuignache. Cuignache was a frequent visitor at the Vasnier home. Here, he would compose many songs for for Vasnier's wife, Marie Vasnier. A dozen songs later, Debussy found that he had fallen in love with Marie.