Originally from Trois-Rivières, Québec, Jean-Sébastien Allaire studied violin for nearly ten years. He was a chorister and soloist with Les Petits Chanteurs de Trois-Rivières before turning his attention to vocal training. As a singer, he has been heard many times on CBC Radio and La Société Radio-Canada.With a widely varied vocal repertoire, ranging from early and baroque to contemporary music, Jean-Sébastien Allaire has performed with renowned ensembles such as Musica Intima, the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal (SMAM), Les idées Heureuses, Viva Voce, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Les Violons du Roy. He has toured in Canada, the United-States, France and Mexico.
Upon the completion of his Master's Degree in Conducting from McGill Univeristy (2000), scholarships from the Fondation Marie-Claude Desloges and the Austrian Society allowed him to continue his artistic education in Graz, Austria. Upon his return he accepted positions in Concordia University's music department (2001) and as Choral Conductor and Professor of Conducting at Carleton University (2005). He has also held positions as Artistic Director of Ensemble Vocal Musica Viva (1999-2006) and acted as Assistant Artistic Director for SMAM (2001-2006). In February 2007, he conducted this ensemble at the Montreal High Lights Festival. He is currently Artistic Director of the Erskine Chamber Choir and Choral Director at St. James United Church in downtown Montreal. In April 2008, he conducted the innovative and accomplished Thirteen Strings Orchestra of Ottawa.
Most recently, JSA has emerged as a studio conductor with the Cirque du Soleil on soundtracks for two productions - namely KÀ and ZED. His efficiency, imagination and exuberance have found him in several recording studios in Montreal and in Slovakia where he directed the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra in April 2008.
You can visit Mr. Allaire's website by clicking here