Born in Quebec City, where he was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that placed great importance on education, the arts and the French language, Maxime Bégin's career path was guided by these values and passions. After ten years of private piano studies, he continued his musical education at the Cégep de Saint-Laurent, then at the Université de Montréal with Mr. Jean Saulnier where he completed a bachelor's degree in classical piano performance. He then specialized at Laval University where he received two master's degrees in music (piano interpretation in accompaniment and chamber music and instrumental didactics) under the direction of Ms. Marie Fabi and Ms. Chantal Masson-Bourque.
In 2010, after having worked as a pianist, accompanist and choral conductor on Canadian and international stages and having taught piano for more than 10 years, Maxime Bégin discovered a passion for teaching music in schools which led him to the University of Ottawa, where he completed a Bachelor of Education degree. He was then hired by the Ontario Public School Board, for whom he still works today. Throughout his musical career, he has won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Laval University Faculty of Music Solo Competition with Orchestra and the Canadian Music Competition. He has performed on many renowned stages and in a multitude of events of all kinds, as a soloist, chamber musician, musical director and accompanist. He has had the opportunity to collaborate with, among others, Le Cirque du Soleil, The Segal Centre for Performing Arts and the Centre for Education in Musical Theatre of Montreal.
In 2021, Maxime Bégin will take over from Robert Filion as head of the CEAO's Vocal Ensembles after having taught music for 10 years at the Julie Payette public elementary school. Entirely dedicated to his art, he strives to pass on his passion for music to his students by offering them as many opportunities as possible to contribute to keeping their francophone community alive. His ensembles have won numerous competitions and perform regularly on Canadian stages. He was awarded the CEPEO Builders of Excellence Award in the Proud Franco category in 2017 as well as the Bernard Grandmaître Award (ACFO) for Educational Speaker of the Year in 2018.
Mr. Bégin is also the founder and musical director of the Chœur de l'Ouest de la Maison de la Francophonie in Ottawa. His passion for choral music has led him to compose and arrange numerous works, mainly drawn from French Canadian folklore, to which he strives to restore its nobility.
