Born in Gatineau, Canada, Antoine Malette-Chénier is this years recipient of the 2014 Canada Council Michael Measures Prize. The $25,000 award recognises the talent of young classical musicians, and is administered via Canada Council for the Arts and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYOC).
According to the official press release, Antoine Malette-Chénier will use the prize money to study baroque harp at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon, as well as in further studies on the pedal harp privately. The prize will be presented at the National Arts Centre on July 31, 2014 at 8:00pm, which will include a special performance by the NYOC.
“The Canada Council for the Arts is an essential component of the cultural life of our country, and I am extremely honoured to count myself among those who benefit from its support,” said Antoine Malette-Chénier. “The Michael Measures Prize will allow me to fulfil my long-time dream of studying under masters of the harp in France, and then bringing that expertise back to Canada to share with the Canadian public.”
The 23 year-old Harpist has performed with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, the Orchestre de la francophonie, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa University Orchestra, the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne and the Yale Philharmonic Orchestra. After graduating from Université de Montréal in 2012, he has gone on to study at the Yale School of Music.
The Michael Measures Prize has been an important award for talented classical musicians between the ages of 16 and 22.
Named after long-time music enthusiast and advocate of Ottawa’s classical music community Michael Measures (1929-2008), he bequeathed one-million dollars to the Canada Council to help fund young classical musician talent, and encourage public recognition for their achievements. The NYOC also oversees the administration of the competition and advises on the selection of the annual winner.
Michael Vincent