Stéphane Potvin, (M. Mus., B. Ed., B. Mus.)

Director Stéphane Potvin is an accomplished, creative conductor recognized for his impeccable technique, highly efficient rehearsals, and his profound and inspirational approach to music making. With nearly thirty years of experience, he is able to coax lyrical performances from orchestras, choirs and chamber ensembles alike. A respected composer, arranger, and clinician, he also has a wealth of experience in education and adjudication. Above all he loves sharing his passion for music with colleagues and audiences.

Maestro Potvin’s career has taken him throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. He has conducted the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra London, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra—where he served as Resident Conductor and Artistic Administrator—the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, the Canadian Armed Forces Band and the National Academy Orchestra. As a well established choral conductor he has lead the Niagara Children’s Chorus, the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, the Brott Music Festival Choir, and worked with the McGill Chamber Singers.

Maestro Potvin is the Founder and Artistic Director of Musikay, a professional choral and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the performance of classical music with the goal of making that music accessible and relevant to today’s audience. He recently founded and directs Villanella, a chamber choir in Hamilton performing three parts music from all time periods with a focus on the renaissance. He is also choir director of the Duet a Club of Hamilton, a group dedicated to the advancement of choral singing for mature voices and to the development and support of young artists.

Mr. Potvin is an excellent communicator with a sparkling sense of humour. Fully bilingual, he connects equally with audiences in French and in English. A devoted communicator, he knows how to engage audiences young and old alike.

Born in Québec, Maestro Potvin studied orchestral and choral conducting with Frieder Bernius, Gustav Meier, Otto-Werner Mueller, Jorma Panula, and Fred Stoltzfus. He worked alongside Boris Brott, Timothy Vernon, and Arthur Post.