The teamVisiting teachers

Claudine Arcand

Beginning violin | Born in Lachine near Montréal, Claudine began learning the violin at the age of five. She continues her studies with reputable violinists like Natalie Cadotte (Pierre-Laporte High School of Montreal), Daniel Godin, Marc Belanger (Cégep de Drummondville), Stéphane Allard (Collège Lionel-Groulx) and Martin Foster (UQAM). In 1992, she discovered the traditional music of Québec with the dance company Les Éclusiers Lachine. That’s when she met Sabin Jacques, Richard Forest, Benoît Bourque, Mario Loiselle and Dorothée Hogan who guide her in learning “by ear” to the beautiful Quebec repertoire.  At the age of 16 years, Claudine is invited to play for dance companies such as Les Éclusiers de Lachine and Les Gens de mon Pays. This will allow her to travel to different festivals in the United States of America, Mexico, France and Spain. She has been a member of several groups including Réveillons, La Part du Quêteux and Les Grondeuses. She also worked in France to perform beside storyteller Simon Gauthier and La Corne de Brume, and the show called La turlutte des Little-Deslile given by the singer Monique Jutras with Gilles Plante.  Claudine’s unique style and infectious enthusiasm led him to offer various workshops and conferences in the United States (Ashokan (NY), Pinewoods (MA)), England (Fosbrooke Liza Austin MBE, Llandinan Village Hall, Nailsea Folk Club) and Ireland (University of Limerick – World Irish Music Course- MA students on the Master Programme).  Today, Claudine is based in L’Islet-sur-Mer, where she teaches violin and directs two youth string ensembles in the region, Tour du Monde and Les Violons du Saint-Laurent.  Claudine gives particular importance for quebec’s traditionnal roots and she transmits her music with dynamism and passion.