Marc-Olivier Dupin began learning the violin at a very young age with his father. He then studied composition with Nicole and Pierre Cochereau, continuing his training at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. He graduated with diplomas in viola, harmony, counterpoint, fugue, analysis, orchestration, and conducting.

During his time at the Conservatoire, he met numerous actors, directors, and filmmakers, which inspired his enduring passion for composing multidisciplinary works—a pursuit he has followed ever since.

Among his many creations are The Little Prince, based on the works of Saint-Exupéry and Joann Sfar, a ballet for the Paris Opera; Les Enfants du Paradis (2008); operas for the Opéra-Comique with librettos by Ivan Grinberg, including Robert le cochon et les kidnappeurs (2014) and Mystère de l’écureuil bleu (2016); and numerous documentary film scores directed by Jérôme Prieur Darlan (2021) and Les suppliques (2022).

He has also composed extensively for young audiences: La première fois que je suis née, L’histoire de Clara, Emile en musique, based on texts by Vincent Cuvellier and published by Gallimard. In collaboration with Ivan Grinberg, he created l’Ile aux oiseaux serpents in 2016 and composed a musical for the children’s choir Sotto Voce, entitled Coup de balai, which premiered in June 2022. His Rabbi’s Cat, based on the text and illustrations by Joann Sfar, was premiered at La Seine Musicale in November 2021.

His compositions for silent film, often performed in cine-concerts, include Monte Cristo by Henri Fescourt, Salomé by Charles Bryant, and Nana by Jean Renoir—commissioned by ARTE—and more recently, three medium-length Buster Keaton films, commissioned by the Orchestre Régional de Normandie.

Alongside his creative work, Marc-Olivier Dupin has held numerous institutional positions, including Director of the Conservatoire de Paris, the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, France Musique, and Head of Music at Radio France. He has also worked as a special advisor to the Ministries of National Education and Culture on the development of choral singing.