MARIE-JOSÉE SIMARD

Marie-Josée Simard was introduced to the vibraphone at the age of eleven and completed her training at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she was the first woman ever to be awarded First Prize in percussion, and where she has taught for 14 years now. As well as perfecting her skills in London under the direction of James Blades and Michael Skinner, she also studied with the famous marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens in New York.

Her musicianship has attracted the attention of many composers and concert organizers over the past two decades, and elicited a great deal of public interest. Her love of innovation has led Marie-Josée Simard to premiere nearly 25 works written specifically for her, and has inspired her to transcribe a wide body of work in order to broaden the repertoire available for her three favourite instruments, the marimba, xylophone and vibraphone. Her music is frequently heard on the CBC, and her recordings (6) clearly demonstrate her ability to interpret contemporary music as well as the music of other eras.

In 1984, Marie-Josée Simard was guest soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the Gala Concert in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to Canada. She represented Canada at the 1992 Metropolitan Opera benefit concert in New York.

Marie-Josée Simard has a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional percussionist. Due to the virtuosity, astonishing musical inventiveness and sparkling intelligent charm that characterize her performances, her work has generated tremendous interest and enthusiasm over the years. For 25 years, she has performed in concert in Canada, Mexico, Paris, New York, Poland, Belgium, Korea and China. She is recognized nationally and internationally as an accomplished artist.