Orchestra

Praised for his welcoming personality, trustworthiness and attention to detail, Frédéric-Alexandre Michaud (FAM) is a versatile artist nationally recognized as a hardworking and talented conductor, violinist, radio cultural commentator, soundman, booking agent, manager, teacher and chamber musician. He is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting, studying with Guillaume Bourgogne and Alain Cazes, at McGill University where he also completed in May 2019 a Master’s degree in Violin Performance with professors Mark Fewer and Alexander Read. In October 2019, he had the privilege of participating in an inspiring conducting masterclass with the internationally acclaimed French maestro François-Xavier Roth through a partnership between McGill University and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

A proactive and benevolent leader, Frédéric has been serving as President of his Student’s Association, the Music Graduate Students’ Society (MGSS), since 2019. In addition to his school responsibilities, he serves as Artistic Director of the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Joliette (OSJJ) and of the Brownies Concerto Orchestra (BCO), as well as the violinist of The Élan Trio. Since March 2020, Frédéric developed in collaboration with his brother Benjamin Michaud a community-focused online project called “FAM” in which he conducts recordings in livestreams accessible on his Facebook page. In addition, during the summer of 2020, he enjoys the opportunity of educating the public about classical music as the host of the weekly segment “Chronique musique avec Maestro FAM” on the Radio-Canada (CBC) radio stations in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Bas-St-Laurent.

Albert Brouwer (fall 2020 – winds)

Originally from the Netherlands, Albert Brouwer graduated with great distinction in flute from the Utrecht Conservatory of Music (Netherlands) studying with Abbie de Quant. After graduating he moved to Canada to study with Timothy Hutchins at McGill University.

Since 2015 Mr. Brouwer is the interim associate principal flute of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He was acting as principal flute during the 2019-2020 season and went as such on tours through, Nunavut Europe and South America with the Orchestra.
He held the principal flute positions of the Albany Symphony Orchestra (NY), Springfield Symphony Orchestra (Mass), Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VT) and the Drummondville Symphony Orchestra (QC). He was a member of the Schleswig Holstein festival orchestra (Germany) where he played under the baton of V. Gergiev, G. Solti, S. Bychkov and M. Rostropovich.

Mr. Brouwer has recorded for Naxos, Albany Records, Bridge and Decca.

An active Chamber musician and soloist in the United States and Canada Mr. Brouwer appeared in the CPE Bach, Khachaturian, Liebermann, Reinecke, Mozart and Vivaldi flute concertos. He performed the Brandenburg concerto Nr. 5 with renowned violinist Jaime Laredo.

Mr. Brouwer teaches flute at McGill University and in the summer at Domaine Forget.
He was a member of the jury for the 2010 Stepping stone Canadian Music competition.

After following masterclasses in conducting with M.Alsop, A, Princiotti and K.Rhodes, Mr. Brouwer conducted the Dartmouth symphony orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Bishops University Orchestra and the Burlington Chamber Orchestra.