Sébastien Deshaies, guitarist
Canadian classical guitarist Sébastien Deshaies was born in Montreal in 1980. At the age of nine, he began his first guitar lessons with Mario Roy. Five years later, he studied the classical guitar at the Trois-Rivières Conservatory of Music with Marcel Benoît and subsequently at the Drummondville college for three more years. He also received further training from Bruno Perron (University of Montreal) and Isabelle Héroux (Laval University).
In June 1997, he distinguished himself by winning the first prize in his category at the "National Final of the Canadian Music Competitions" held in Montreal. In April 1998, he received the award for musical expression at the Sherbrooke college. In April 1999, he won first prize in the "Guitar-Drummond" contest. In March 2001, he performed on the French Cultural channel of Radio-Canada. Over the past years, Sébastien has also been given a chance to give solo recitals thanks to the important support of « Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada » (section : Trois-Rivières). In 2005, he was laureate of the "Grands Prix Culturels de Trois-Rivières" (Category: "Arts de la scène Louis-Philippe Poisson").
He presently teaches the guitar at "L'Académie Les Estacades" high school in the guitar studies program.
In addition to his performances as a soloist, he frequently shares the stage with other very talented musicians. Sébastien is also interested in the traditional musics of the world in particular those of Québec, Ireland and Scotland.
Sébastien Deshaies has delighted audiences several times in his hometown and throughout the Province of Quebec. He has also performed in the U.S.A and Mexico.
English translation : Paul-André Deshaies