Bios

Pierre-Paul PROVENCHER (bandonéon)

Born in Québec City, Pierre-Paul Provencher is the only Canadian to hold the diplomas of Brevet d’Exécution, Diplôme d’Exécution and the Diplôme Supérieur d’Exécution in concert accordion from the École Normale de Musique de Paris. He has performed in Canada and in France as soloist, chamber musician and with such orchestras as the Victoria Symphony Orchestra (B.C.), the Ensemble Instrumental Appassionata (Montreal) and l’Orchestre de Chambre de Hull (Gatineau), and others. His repertoire extends from Bach to Messiaen, and includes premieres of contemporary music, as well as his own compositions. Specializing in the music of Astor Piazzolla, he has participated in performances of Piazzolla’s opera, music for bandoneon and orchestra, tango nuevo quintet, bandoneon and string quartet, and solo bandoneon. He has taught harmony, counterpoint and solfège at the University of Ottawa for twenty years. He is also the artistic director of Les Concerts Ponticello, a classical concert series in Gatineau. Mr. Provencher has received numerous grants from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the Canada Council.

www.pierrepaulprovencher.ca

Laurie ROSEWARNE (piano)

Laurie Rosewarne has a A.Mus. diploma in piano pedagogy from the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music. She studied concert accordion at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and graduated with an ARCT in accordion pedagogy. She also holds a B.A. (Major in Music) from Carleton University. She is a founding member of Camerata Music, an Ottawa school of music, where she teaches piano, accordion and music theory. She has taught music history at the University of Ottawa for twenty years. Laurie performs regularly as a concert accordionist (often as part of Duo Arcana), as well as a pianist.

Magali Gavazzi-April
(violin)

Magali began her university studies in violin at the University of Ottawa with the renowned pedagogue Yehonatan Berick. Motivated by learning the violin and the viola, she completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music under the direction of violinist Anne Robert at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Her orchestral experience includes working under the direction of renowned conductors such as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Rafael Payare, and Yoav Talmi, among others. She has performed in Canada, Mexico, Germany, Scotland, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Magali has recorded with Linn Records. She received the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal and the Vic Pomer Fellowship. Magali plays on an 1820 Pique de Paris violin generously lent by Roger Dubois of the Canimex Inc. foundation in Drummondville.

Rémi BARRETTE (guitar)

Rémi Barrette (guitar), originally from the Outaouais region, studied guitar with Patrick Roux at the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau, where he obtained a “Prix avec grande distinction”. He has studied with the greatest masters of the classical guitar, such as Manuel Barrueco, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer and Sergio Assad. He is also the winner of numerous first prizes in various national and international competitions. A founding member of the Trio Alla Grande, he leads a career as soloist, chamber musician, teacher, composer, and producer.

Vicente GarcÍa (double bass)

Vicente Garçía has been a music lover since a very young age. Born and raised in Venezuela, Vicente emigrated to Canada at the age of twenty with his parents and sister. He is a classically trained bassist and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Performance from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Music from the University of Ottawa. Vicente performs regularly in the Ottawa-Gatineau area with the Ottawa Baroque Consort, the Gatineau Symphony Orchestra, and various other groups. Vicente combines his career in performance with business, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Music Business. He has been working in marketing and sales since 2018.