Jon Stojan
Image credit: Geneviève Leclair
Geneviève Leclair is redefining what it means to be a conductor in North America, effortlessly navigating the realms of ballet, symphony, and opera with an artistry that captivates audiences and collaborators alike.
Her illustrious career is marked by prestigious awards and memorable performances, but what sets Leclair apart is her ability to weave technical precision with an intuitive understanding of movement. Her approach creates a seamless dialogue between music and dance, producing performances that resonate with a rare and profound connection.
Her philosophy centers on fostering an almost alchemical bond between musicians and dancers. As she explains, “There is nothing more exhilarating than a performance in which dancers and musicians connect, and a real exchange takes place. Imagine the dark and silent house; the ballerina walks onstage and takes the pose… The music emerges and feeds the momentum of the ballerina. From that point, the energy flows both ways and overflows into the house.”
Leclair’s unique synergy with dance stems from her own artistic roots. “As a child, I spent my time between school, music lessons, and ballet class. When the time for college came, I chose music and conducting. But all those years of ballet training stayed with me and shaped the conductor I became,” she reflects.
Image credit: Geneviève Leclair
This Christmas season, Leclair will guest conduct 13 performances of The Nutcracker with the Houston Ballet at the Wortham Center, contributing to their ambitious 34-show run.
Her résumé includes directing Hamburg Ballet legend John Neumeier’s Nijinsky with the National Ballet of Canada in 2017 and conducting Sleeping Beauty during its 50th-anniversary performance in 2018. This year, she conducted the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Giselle for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, further highlighting her deep connection to dance and her expertise in bridging music and movement.
The accolades continue. Leclair was awarded the prestigious American Prize in Conducting in 2017 and has since lent her talents to innovative projects like The [Uncertain] Four Seasons with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, a reimagining of Vivaldi’s iconic work infused with climate change data.
In opera, her 2020 Québec premiere of Laura Kaminsky’s As One was a standout moment. This deeply moving opera explores the journey of a transgender individual, showcasing Leclair’s ability to bring contemporary, socially relevant narratives to life with nuance and sensitivity.
Image credit: Geneviève Leclair
Leclair captures the essence of her artistic mission best: “As a conductor, I could spend my entire life (…) completely immersed in artistic truth. It’s not about decisions or absolutes; it’s about the artist’s intention, phrasing, movement, and the unique qualities of each performer. It’s about abandoning yourself to the moment, embracing a state of complete engagement where everyone feels truly alive.”
Whether conducting an opera, ballet, or symphonic masterpiece, Leclair commands the stage with a passion and presence that leaves audiences spellbound. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to transcend boundaries, connecting hearts and minds in every performance.
Leclair’s presence in the U.S. arts scene, from her years conducting at Boston Ballet to her current collaboration with the Houston Ballet, further establishes her as a conductor whose performances belong on every arts enthusiast’s bucket list.