University of Redlands
Printer-friendly
Email this pageJean-Sébastien Vallée , Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting
Contact: sebastien_vallee@redlands.edu
(909) 748-8692 (Phone)
(909) 335-5183 (Fax)
Fine Arts 210
B.M., Université Laval
Graduate Diploma, Université de Sherbrooke
M.A., University of California at Santa Cruz
A.B.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Originally from Canada, Jean-Sébastien Vallée is an active conductor, clinician and adjudicator. Prior to his arrival at the University of Redlands, Jean-Sébastien conducted more than fifteen ensembles in Canada and the United States including the University of California at Santa Cruz Women's choir, Chamber Singers, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University Chorus and Opera Studio
Vallée has studied under such renowned conductors as Chester Alwes, Eduardo Diazmunoz, Iwan Edwards, Agnes Grossman, Chantal Masson-Bourque, Nicole Paiement, Raphaele Ponti, Miroslav Popsavov, Donald Schleicher, Fred Stoltzfus and Jon Washburn. Jean-Sebastien holds degrees from the Université Laval, the Université de Sherbrooke, the University of California in Santa Cruz, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In addition to his interest in choral, operatic and orchestral music, he is an advocate of contemporary music, making one of his priorities to premiere and commission works by young composers and program rarely performed repertoire.
Jean-Sébastien served as assistant-conductor for the 2008 National Youth Choir of Canada, and conducted the Vancouver Chamber Choir, one of Canada's finest professional vocal ensembles, as part of its National Conductors' Symposium. In addition, Vallée was recently invited to present his research on French Renaissance vocal music at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Oklahoma City, and at Festival 500 in Newfoundland, Canada.
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching is a process where integrity, commitment and informed actions inspire young minds to reach their highest potential. I consider that my principal contribution as a conductor-educator is to infuse growing artists with the passion of being devoted to the complete process of critically planning, researching, rehearsing and performing music in order to serve art and grow as individuals. It is my hope that I may be able to provide my students with the tools needed so that they may take control of their life-long quest for knowledge. If I find that my presence disappears as their teacher, I know that I will have succeeded in my quest.
My rehearsals are characterized by a focused atmosphere of energy, humanity, and complete commitment. To achieve these qualities, I consider the students to be young professionals deserving precise and helpful comments and feedback. This attitude allows them to leave the room feeling fully empowered and involved in the complete collaborative artistic endeavor.
Because of my diverse experiences in conducting choral, operatic, orchestral, and new music repertoires, I have developed a conducting and teaching philosophy based on a crossover approach to choral conducting. This approach seeks to integrate elements from other genres into the traditional choral rehearsal paradigm.
Finally, I have made it a priority in all of my musical endeavors to transmit my passion and enthusiasm for music by modeling my high standards while demanding the best from all performers. Being captivated by the expressive, intellectual and spiritual facets of music, I find the greatest personal satisfaction from working with students who develop that same passion and embody it in their successful pursuits.
Selected Courses
Chapel Singers
University Choir
Introduction to Conducting
Choral Methods
Graduate Seminar: Authenticity in Music
Ear Training