Profile of a pianist, nurse and optometrist
Who are you?
I am a pianist, nurse and optometrist at the same time. I was, until recently, a piano teacher at the Conservatoire de musique de la Montérégie for over six years and a doctorate in optometry since 2020. As you can see, for most of my life I was more of a passionate about studies .
What is your musical background?
According to family legend, I asked for piano lessons when I was 5 years old after I saw a pianist on television. Perhaps it was rather my grandmother's deep desire to learn piano that facilitated my introduction to the piano early on. So, like many young people, I had no more than very patient parents (non-musicians) and a tiny digital keyboard to start what was going to be a long musical journey. By nature, I have a p with a strong propensity to strive for excellence, I was quickly taken in by a teacher who was an excellent piano competition coach. I quickly developed a taste for local competition and prizes and despite my anxious nature, I always wanted to do more ... even if it meant spending more time with my teacher in order to practice more intensively!
La Nouvelle, Wednesday , April 2nd 2008
Photo credit: Imacom, Claude Poulin
Later, in my adolescent years, I met Marie-Anne Rozankovic and I recognized in her all the motivation (and the passion) to discover new musical projects and to make art a profession. ! Thanks to her, I was able to integrate small instrumental ensembles I discovered the immense pleasure of playing with other musicians in ensemble music. She coached me to develop my sense of listening, rhythm, and musical phrasing by accompanying violinists and cellists from the string classes at the Conservatory.
Gradually, music and me were inseparable and I began serious studies in CEGEP, then a Bachelor in piano interpretation. I was passionate about studying classical music, the right interpretation of a musical work solo or in the accompaniment of vocal classes. I also studied cello for three years at university and had the chance to join an orchestra.
The end of my bachelor studies also coincided with the onset of adulthood and I gradually discovered a new passion: health sciences. So I continued to study intensively in biomedical sciences, nursing sciences, eventually completing a doctorate in optometry, which is my current profession. Yet music has accompanied me through every step of the way, thanks to piano teaching at CMM.
What lessons have you learned from your musical journey?
I had quite a unique journey and I consider myself fortunate to have this experience that accompanies me every day, even though I no longer work mainly in music. I believe that intensive study of the piano and the language of music has given me access to the most vulnerable parts of myself. When we interpret a work (or create it!) We possess it with all the ardor, sensitivity and clarity of mind which we are capable of. Rarely have I felt as much elation as when I felt ownership of a musical piece.
Thre are other benefits like rigor and perseverance that have served me well in all other areas of study. I was able to accomplish and complete two more study programs while working diligently for 12 years!
What advice would you give to young people studying music as an extra-curricular activity?
Be proud of your journey, take it fully and set yourself small, realistic goals on a regular basis. Learn to put shyness aside and share music with the people around you!
