Marie-Eve Lessard

Born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Marie-Eve studied violin at the Trois-Rivières Conservatory of Music under Francine Dufour and at the University of Montreal under Jean-François Rivest. While focusing on new music, she studied viola under Jutta Pucchammer-Sedillot, and in 2003 earned her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Montreal.

In addition to her formal studies, Marie-Eve has also participated in a number of summer programs including the Pierre Monteux School (Maine, USA), Magic Music Farm (New York, USA) and The Banff Center (Alberta, Canada). In 2009, she was awarded a Professional Development Grant from the Conseil Des Arts et Lettres Du Québec (CALQ) to study New Music in Paris under Christophe Desjardins (Ensemble Intercontemporain).

Marie-Eve holds a viola section position with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and an Assistant Principal Viola contract with the London Symphonia. In 2015, she was invited to acted as Principal Viola for the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. During her career, she has collaborated with several orchestras, ensembles and artists including the Orchestre Metropolitan (Montréal, Qc.), Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Tim Brady & the Bradyworks, Brigitte Poulin, and she was violist for the Montreal Chamber Orchestra and the Montreal Contemporary Ensemble.

Marie-Eve has recorded Canadian and world premieres for CBC Radio and TV France. In 2006 she won an International Canadian Music Competition for viola with Contes pour alto et vibraphone composed for her by André Cayer. She also performed as a soloist for the 2006 International Viola Congress held in Montreal.

Marie-Eve calls St. Marys, Ontario home, where she lives with her partner and their young daughter. In addition to her music career she holds a full-time teaching position with the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde and is co-founder of the Thames River Paddling Club in St. Marys.