Valérie Milot is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a harpist. Born on May 13, 1980, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec, Canada, Milot grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a guitarist, and her mother was a pianist. Milot started playing the piano at the age of five, but it was not until she was 11 years old that she discovered her love for the harp. Milot's parents encouraged her to pursue her passion for music, and she began taking harp lessons with Caroline Lizotte. She quickly excelled in her studies and went on to study at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec, where she earned a degree in harp performance. Milot continued her studies at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she earned a master's degree in harp performance. Milot's talent as a harpist was recognized early on in her career. In 2004, she won first prize at the Concours de musique du Canada, a prestigious music competition in Canada. This win helped to launch her career as a professional musician. Since then, Milot has performed with some of the world's most renowned orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec. She has also performed at some of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Festival de Lanaudière, the Festival de musique de chambre de Montréal, and the Festival international de musique de chambre en Charente. Milot's performances have been praised for their technical skill and emotional depth. She is known for her ability to bring out the beauty and complexity of the harp, and her performances are often described as mesmerizing and captivating. In addition to her performances, Milot is also an accomplished recording artist. She has released several albums, including "Harpistique," "Reverie," and "Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut." Her recordings have received critical acclaim and have helped to establish her as one of the leading harpists of her generation. Milot's talent and hard work have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2008, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Discovery of the Year" by the Conseil québécois de la musique. In 2010, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Concert of the Year - Montreal" for her performance of "Harpistique" at the Festival de musique de chambre de Montréal. In 2014, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Album of the Year - Classical, Romantic, Post-Romantic" for her album "Reverie." Milot's success as a musician has not been limited to her performances and recordings. She is also a dedicated teacher and has taught at several music schools and conservatories, including the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. She is known for her ability to inspire and motivate her students, and many of her former students have gone on to successful careers as musicians. In addition to her work as a musician and teacher, Milot is also a philanthropist. She is a strong advocate for music education and has worked with several organizations to promote music education and provide opportunities for young musicians. She has also donated her time and talent to several charitable organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

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