Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

1974 in Caen, Normandy, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Stéphanie-Marie Degand is a French violinist and conductor who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born on May 22, 1979, in the city of Lille, France, Degand grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a pianist and her mother was a singer, so it was only natural that she would develop a love for music at a young age. Degand began playing the violin when she was just four years old, and by the time she was six, she was already performing in public. She studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where she was a student of Gérard Poulet. She also studied with Régis Pasquier and Jean-Jacques Kantorow. Degand's talent as a violinist was recognized early on, and she won several awards and competitions as a young musician. In 1995, she won first prize at the International Violin Competition in Sion, Switzerland. She also won first prize at the International Violin Competition in Vittorio Veneto, Italy, in 1996. After completing her studies, Degand began performing with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras. She has played with the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre de Paris, and the London Symphony Orchestra, among others. In addition to her work as a violinist, Degand has also made a name for herself as a conductor. She has conducted several orchestras, including the Orchestre National de Lille, the Orchestre de Picardie, and the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. One of the highlights of Degand's career was her performance at the 2014 Proms in London. She played the solo violin part in Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The performance was widely praised by critics, who noted Degand's "dazzling technique" and "sensitive interpretation." Degand has also recorded several albums, including a recording of Mozart's Violin Concertos with the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. The album was released in 2015 and received critical acclaim. In addition to her work as a performer and conductor, Degand is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at several music schools and conservatories, including the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Lille. Degand's talent and dedication to her craft have earned her numerous awards and honors over the years. In 2010, she was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of her contributions to the arts. She was also named a "Rising Star" by the European Concert Hall Organization in 2011. Today, Degand continues to perform and conduct around the world, sharing her love of classical music with audiences everywhere. Her passion for music and her dedication to her craft have made her one of the most respected and admired musicians of her generation.

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