29-year-old pianist Maxence Tessier from Montreal, Quebec is celebrated for his exceptional musicality and mastery of the piano. Maxence's early start in music was not a matter of choice but a path he was steered onto. However, this enforced introduction blossomed into a profound passion for the piano and classical music, shaping his life's trajectory.

Maxence's academic path at the University of Montreal, from his undergraduate degree to his current final year in a Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in piano performance, has been under the guidance of Paul Stewart for his bachelor's and Henry Kramer for his DMA. His 23 years of piano study, along with early violin and viola training, have been influenced by several other esteemed instructors, including Daniel Moran, Maneli Pirzadeh, Suzanne Goyette, and Zinaida Varosian, contributing to his broad and versatile musical repertoire. Additionally, Maxence has honed his skills through masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Françoise Gnéri, Elias-Axel Petersson, Marc Durand, and Maneli Pirzadeh.

Maxence's talent has been consistently recognized in various competitions and through academic excellence grants. Most recently, he received the "Bourses PM & VM Gélinas piano" from the University of Montreal in both 2022 and 2023, along with the "Rey-Gaboury" grant in 2022, and the "Fond les Amis de l’Art" grant in 2021. In 2020, he was a finalist in the national Do Mi Si La Do Ré contest, hosted by Fondation Jeunesses Musicales Canada. Before that, in 2018, he won 2nd prize at the Festival de musique du Royaume in Chicoutimi, Québec.

For Maxence, music transcends mere performance. He views music as a universal language that teaches discipline, emotional depth, self-control, and vulnerability. The experience of playing live music, with its exhilarating blend of fear and satisfaction, is central to his artistic identity. Looking to the future, he’s focused on becoming a concert pianist, composing, recording a CD, and exploring lesser-known works by forgotten composers. In addition to classical music, he also enjoys creating electronic music and balances his free time with a range of hobbies, including video games, anime, and socializing with friends.

Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor (WTK, Book II, No. 14), BWV883 by Johann Sebastian Bach