Marie-Josée Simard

Marie-Josée Simard, a distinguished Canadian percussionist and music educator, was born on November twenty-ninth, nineteen fifty-six, in La Baie, now part of Saguenay, Quebec. Her musical journey began early, performing on the vibraphone with her parents' orchestra. Under her mother's guidance, she honed her skills before entering the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec in nineteen seventy-four. Simard made history as the first woman to graduate as a percussionist from the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, where she studied from nineteen seventy-six to nineteen seventy-nine, and she was also the first woman to win a first prize in percussion from this institution.

Simard's pursuit of excellence led her to further studies at the Orford Art Centre and under renowned instructors such as Michael Skinner and James Blades in London, as well as Leigh Howard Stevens in New York City. Her talent was recognized early on when she won the Search for Stars contest in nineteen seventy-nine, sponsored by the du Maurier Council for the Performing Arts. This accolade set the stage for her remarkable career.

Throughout her career, Simard has performed as a soloist with numerous prestigious Canadian orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where she had the honor of performing during the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II in nineteen eighty-four. She has also represented Canada in a Metropolitan Opera benefit concert in nineteen ninety-two and has been featured in broadcasts by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, showcasing her talent on international stages.

Simard's contributions to the world of percussion are significant, with over twenty-five works composed specifically for her, including pieces by notable composers such as Rachel Laurin and François Dompierre. In addition to her performance career, she has conducted percussion ensembles and has been a dedicated educator, serving at the Domaine Forget Music and Dance Academy until nineteen ninety-two before becoming a professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Her expertise has also been recognized through her roles on juries for various arts councils in Canada.