Jean-Sébastien Vallée
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Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée | |
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| Born | Vanier, Québec |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Employer | Toronto Mendelssohn Choir |
Notable work | Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music |
| Awards | 2025 Grand diplômé, Université Laval |
| Website | https://www.jsvallee.com |
Jean-Sébastien Vallée (pronounced [ʒɑ̃ sebastjɛ̃ vale]; born 1979) is a Canadian conductor, music educator, and choral scholar. He is the artistic director & Principal Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and director of choral studies at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. Vallée is internationally recognized as a conductor and scholar.[1] Vallée, who conducted the CBC Christmas Sing-In,in Montreal annually, belives conducting is about creating 'an exciting performance'.[2]
Early life & Training
Vallée initially studied piano and trumpet, and his first experience conducting came at age 16 when he led had the chance to led a parish choir.[3] A pivotal moment came during a masterclass with conductor Nicole Paiement, which inspired him to pursue conducting more seriously.[3]
Vallée holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in choral conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Music (M.Mus) from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Graduate Diploma from the Université de Sherbrooke, and a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus) from the Université Laval.[4]
In 2025, Jean-Sébastien Vallée was named a Grand diplômé (Distinguished Alumnus) by Université Laval, recognizing distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to the arts and culture in Canada.[5]
Career
From 2015 to 2022, Vallée served as Music Director of the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal[6]. Simultaneously, from 2016 to 2022, he was Artistic Director of the Ottawa Choral Society.[3]
In June 2021, Jean‑Sébastien Vallée was appointed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He is only the eighth conductor in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir's 130-year history.[7] Under his leadership, the choir has expanded its repertoire to include contemporary Canadian compositions alongside classical choral‑orchestral staples, commissioning new works from Canadian composers and reintroducing rarely performed pieces . He also spearheaded the founding of the professional chamber ensemble Toronto Mendelssohn Singers and launched education and outreach initiatives such as workshops, conducting symposia, and composer‑in‑residence programs.[7]
Vallée has conducted numerous choral‑orchestral concerts across Canada and internationally, collaborating with major ensembles such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.[8] Critics have praised his interpretive skill—for instance, a 2025 review of his rendition of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis noted that "his detailing of the many twists and turns of Beethoven's musical genius was simply superb" and hailed the choir's performance as "a very impressive musical ensemble"[9]
He is also active in education: as a full professor at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, he directs the Choral Studies program, coordinates conducting ensembles, and mentors emerging conductors. His pedagogical and research interests include audiation, gesture, and the intersection of performance and scholarship, and he has presented at major international conferences.[10] Vallée serves as a mentor to new choral talent and has been cited as a mentor who "encourages you to find your voice" by distinguished choral conductors and singers.[11]
Vallée's recordings are regulary featured nationally, on CBC Radio, including interviews on programs like “Shift” and coverage of large-scale events such as the annual CBC Montreal Christmas Sing-In, where he has served as conductor.[12]
Selected Discography
- Lux – Chœur de l'église St. Andrew and St. Paul, Jonathan Oldengarm (organ), Jean‑Sébastien Vallée (conductor). ATMA Classique ACD 22771 (CD, released November 17, 2017)[13]
- Fauré: Requiem in D Minor, Op. 48; Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9 – Chœur de l'église St. Andrew and St. Paul, Jean‑Sébastien Vallée (conductor). ATMA Classique (October 2018)[14]
- Distance – Chœur de l'église St. Andrew and St. Paul, Jean‑Sébastien Vallée (conductor). ATMA Classique ACD 22840 (CD, released April 16, 2021)[15]
- Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music – Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean‑Sébastien Vallée (conductor). ATMA Classique ACD 22882 (CD, released October 11, 2024)[16]
References
- ↑ "INTERVIEW | A Conversation with Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir's New Conductor". 7 June 2021.
- ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/get-a-conducting-lesson-from-montreal-maestro-jean-s%C3%A9bastien-vall%C3%A9e-1.4936725
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bergeron, Olivier (November 15, 2021). "Jean-Sébastien Vallée: the future of choral singing in Canada - my/maSCENA". myscena.org.
- ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/music/jean-sebastien-vallee
- ↑ "Les Remarquables 2025 : l'Université Laval honore 10 diplômés d'exception". ULaval nouvelles. April 22, 2025.
- ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.3354539
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Perlman, David (November 5, 2021). "Understanding what a choir needs - Introducing Jean-Sébastien Vallée". The WholeNote.
- ↑ "Jean-Sébastien Vallée | Biographies". nac-cna.ca.
- ↑ "SCRUTINY | Jean-Sébastien Vallée And Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Deliver Appropriately Epic Beethoven". April 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Jean-Sébastien Vallée". Music.
- ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/music/30-under-30-canadian-classical-musicians-hot-2024-1.7248546
- ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-419-choral-concert/clip/d20250713-sunday-july-13-2025
- ↑ ""LUX" by the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul". The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul.
- ↑ ""Requiem" by the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul". The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul.
- ↑ "Chœur de L'église St. Andrew And St. Paul, Jean-Sébastien Vallée - Distance". April 28, 2021 – via www.discogs.com.
- ↑ "Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music".
External links
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