Born in Lille, his teachers have been: G. Voisin (a student of Louis Cahuzac), G. Dangain, H. Druart, G. Deplus, Philippe Cuper went to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. He also studied musicology at the Sorbonne and was advised by J. Lancelot and S. Drucker of the New York Philharmonic. In 1980 he won the first prize for chamber music.

His success in international competitions is also impressive: Genève, Vercelli (1979), Munich (overall prize in 1982), Prague (1986 unanimous first prize), Slovak prize, MRAVINSKY medal St Petersbourg. Philippe Cuper was invited by J.E Gardiner to be soloist at the Opéra de Lyon and by Alain Lombard for the Orchestre de Bordeaux.

After having been soloist at the Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux and solo clarinet for the Orchestre Mondial des Jeunesse musicales, in 1984 he become principal soloist for the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris.

He has also developed his career with major international orchestras, and has played under prestigious conductors, interpreting both the classic repertoire and debut performances of contemporary works. He has also recorded over 50 works on 20 compact discs.

He teaches at the Conservatoire National de Versailles but has also taught in the States (Texas, Virginia), in Japan (Tokyo: Kunitachi University and the Osaka conservatory) in Easten Europe, in Brazil, in Australia (Brisbane and Camberra University) in Canada (Domaine Forget in Quebec) and in Korea (Szoul University), Tel Aviv (Musical Center).

Since 1997, Philippe Cuper has represented France at the European Clarinet and Saxophone society: he appears in the list of top players in Palema Weston: "Clarinet Virtuosy of today" published by Egon, London.