ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Claudine Gamache (fall 2019)
Recognized for her sensitivity, intensity, and vivacity, Claudine Gamache has charmed ensembles and audiences with her vibrant colors and interpretations.
Former trombone player, Claudine started to think about a conducting career after the graduation in 2007. Since then, the ensembles she conducted have been captivated by her energy and humanity. Claudine like to work with all kinds of ensembles. For examples, introducing music to children is for her a privilege and working with amateur ensembles reminds her the joy of making music. In 2015, she was one of the seven elite artists sent to Zimbabwe and South Africa for the MIA (Music Inspire Africa) tour. In 2017Claudine Gamache obtained her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) diploma in conducting at University of Georgia.
In January 2019, Claudine participated in a workshop with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria (Spain) and won one of the six spots to conduct in the final concert. Overseas, she had the opportunity to work with many other orchestras like the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Filhamonie (Czechy), Filharmonica “Mihail Jora” (Romania), Boulder Chamber Orchestra (Colorado), and Astoria Symphony Orchestra (New York). In Canada, she had worked with Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, l’Orchestre de l’Estuaire, l’Orchestre Symphonique Pop de Montréal amongst others. She was also the Musical and Artistic Director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Laval. In addition of the symphonic world, Claudine has also worked with wind ensembles and organisations such as, l’Ensemble à Vents de Montréal, UGA Wind Ensemble, multiple brass ensembles, and CAMMAC as the teacher and conductor for its winds workshops in 2012.
Livestreams and recordings are familiar for Claudine. Since 2017, she is the Musical Director and since 2018 the Director for ProdCan livestream productions. ProdCan is the only Canadian producer for Medici.tv. Claudine was also hired as a consultant for a recording with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. During livestream and recordings, she gives herself the challenge to represent visually the music, to bring the ears of the audience to hidden elements, and to create a visual style that matches composers’ style.
Hubert Tanguay-Labrosse (winter 2020)
Winner of the Standard Life Grand Prize of the SMO Competition (2009 edition) Hubert Tanguay-Labrosse is a graduate of the Juilliard School in clarinet, and of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal in orchestral conducting. He has performed as a soloist with numerous Canadian ensembles including the Montreal, Sherbrooke, Longueuil and Newfoundland symphonic orchestras. He has also performed in broadcasts of ICI Radio-Canada. Since 2015, he conducts the Joliette and Sherbrooke youth orchestras.
Melissa Biroun (spring 2020)
Holder of a Master’s degree in orchestral conducting, Melissa has completed her degree at the Schulich School of Music at the McGill University, where she studied with Alain Cazes.
Previously, she graduated from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal in Classical piano with Louise Bessette as well as from Vanier College in Jazz piano with Eric Harding. Then, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in composition at the Université de Montréal where she studied with Ana Sokolovic and Alan Belkin. Recipient of a bursary, she has also won two residencies, as well as a composition for choir at the École des Jeunes de l’Université de Montréal. Her composition career allowed her to write many jazz and popular arrangements and collaborate with various ensembles and dance companies.
Internationally, in the context of an intership, she has had the opportunity to conduct symphonic orchestras including the Mihail Jora Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania) under the supervision of Ovidiu Balan as well as the Adelphi Symphony Orchestra (New York) with Donald Schleicher.
During the season 2017-2018, Melissa began her role as a music and artistic director of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel. She had the opportunity to create various charitable projects such as the Centre d’Action Bénévole de Sorel, promotional concerts for the city of Sorel-Tracy, municipal contracts, festivals and concerts at the Salles Georges-Codling dans le Marché des Arts.
Concurrent to this position, Ms. Biroun made her first appearance leading the Thunder Bay Symphonic Orchestra on October 28th 2019, as the 2019-2020 appointed conductor in residence of the season. She has conducted over 30 concerts with the orchestra and chorus from schools concerts, family concerts, special events and classical masterworks. She has also had the opportunity to collaborate on different projects with different artists on several scenes of the region and received mentorship from Music Director Paul Haas.
MUSICIANS
Strings |
Winds et Percussion |
ViolinJean-Yves Chevrolat, solo CelloRenaud Chartier, solo ViolaSerge Paradis, solo BassGabriel Drolet, solo |
BassoonNancy Newman ClarinetCarl Chapdelaine Flute/PiccoloAnnie Thibault OboeColin Chalk HornAllison Duff TromboneSylvain Nolet TrumpetAlex Gutjahr TubaNicolas Martin PercussionMichel Côté |
COMMITTEES
Board
Brigitte Couture – President
Christian Mallet – Vice-President
Anne-Isabelle Bourdon – Program and website
Chantale Turcotte – Internal communications
Micheline Ellyson – Logistics
Catherine Soum – Treasurer
Artistic Committee
Colin Chalk
Jean-Yves Chevrolat
Nadine Kolment
Claudia Mack
Anne Marie Poirier
Collaborators
Graphics – Mikaela Duberry
Recording – Mark Corwin, Jan Marut and Simon Bellefleur
Music Librarian- Colin Chalk
