Role

:

Conductor  

Genre

:

Symphony

 

Nicole Paiement is a renowned conductor and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. She was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1960, and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer, so music was always a part of her life. Paiement began her musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin. She later attended the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, where she earned a degree in piano performance. She then went on to study conducting at the University of Montreal, where she earned a master's degree in 1984. After completing her studies, Paiement began her career as a conductor, working with various orchestras and ensembles in Canada and the United States. In 1997, she founded the San Francisco-based contemporary music ensemble, Opera Parallèle, which has since become one of the most respected and innovative opera companies in the country. Throughout her career, Paiement has been recognized for her exceptional talent and dedication to the arts. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Louis Spohr Medal from the International Gustav Mahler Society in 2019. She has also been named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK. One of Paiement's most notable achievements was her appointment as the first female conductor to lead a production at the San Francisco Opera in 2011. She conducted the world premiere of Christopher Theofanidis' "Heart of a Soldier," which was based on the true story of a 9/11 hero. Paiement has also been a champion of contemporary music, and has conducted numerous world premieres of works by living composers. She has collaborated with many of the most important composers of our time, including John Adams, Philip Glass, and Kaija Saariaho. In addition to her work as a conductor, Paiement is also a respected music educator. She has taught at several universities, including the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of Montreal. She is currently the Artistic Director of the BluePrint Project, a program that provides opportunities for young composers to work with professional musicians and have their works performed in public. Paiement's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant and far-reaching. She has helped to bring contemporary music to a wider audience, and has inspired countless young musicians to pursue their dreams. Her talent, dedication, and passion for music continue to make a lasting impact on the world of classical music.

More....