Mélanie Léonard never stops learning. She approaches each project with humility and curiosity, admitting that the work is never truly over. There’s always a new way to understand a piece, help her musicians thrive, and connect with audiences.
In Fall 2023, we’re honoured that she chose to continue her musical explorations at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. She joins us as Assistant Professor of instrumental conducting and director of the McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME) and brings to the table years of experience as a working conductor and a doctorate from the Université de Montréal. She hopes to lead and inspire our talented young musicians so that they, too, can nurture their musical curiosity.
With the academic year in full swing, we thought this was a perfect time to ask her about her love of music, her approach to conducting, and what she hopes to share with her students this year.
Here is Mélanie Léonard in conversation.
As an experienced musician, performer, and conductor, what is it about music that still energizes you?
I am particularly energized by the magic that happens during the sharing process of music. Whether it is shared between colleagues or to a greater extent with the audience, I always feel alive in those moments. Music is a powerful emotional and human experience, and I am constantly reminded of how lucky we are to be musicians. Even if it is hard work, the essence of what we do, sharing meaningful artistic and human experiences, makes it worth it.
In music, you are never done. Even when you perform the same work several times, every performance is unique. It is a never-ending opportunity to push yourself and look forward to what you will learn and discover next.
What excites you most about the coming academic year?
This is my first year as Assistant Professor of instrumental conducting and director of the CME. New chapters are always exciting as they offer an opportunity to grow, evolve, and reflect. I am looking forward to the fresh perspective teaching will bring me and what I will learn along the way. We say teaching is learning twice. It is an incredible responsibility and privilege to have the opportunity to help others achieve their dreams. I am looking forward to working with the students and inspiring colleagues and performing amazing music!
What lessons have you learned during your career that you hope to impart on your students?
It is difficult to identify one aspect of the profession; I’ve learned so much since I started working as a professional conductor. It ranges from career building strategies, developing an artistic vision, building relationships with the community, and so on.
There are also many lessons in all other associated skills you need to develop to be a successful conductor. Developing confidence in your ability to lead as well as technical and musical skills when faced with the expectations of a professional orchestra were also an important part of my growth in my early career. Being a conductor is like being an eternal student. We will never stop learning.
It is important to welcome what confronts us on the path of our career. I aim to teach my students everything I can during their degree and prepare them for everything else they will face when they graduate. I think it is important to anchor the craft we teach in the context of the experiences we went through and offer the students the richest combination of both.
When you’re conducting an ensemble, how do you prepare your musicians to give their best performance in concert?
It starts with being extremely well prepared myself. It is an important aspect of leading with your actions and encouraging reciprocity. Leading an efficient rehearsal is of course important, but the most important thing is the context in which you lead that rehearsal. You can’t demand the best out of anyone. In general, people will give their best freely when they feel respected, supported, and appreciated, and are working in a positive environment.
The impact of your leadership is always proportional to how people feel when they work with you. I genuinely care about fostering a working environment that makes everyone feel energized and accomplished. When there is trust and joy in what we do, all the other technical and musical details of the work become motivating challenges to overcome together.
During your rehearsals, what are the signs that the group or the work is starting to come together? What are the signs there’s still more work to do?
There is a progression in the aspects we are working on going from more general, like correcting tempo and ensemble issues to more subtle, like the colours and textures of certain passages. There is also a feeling of flow that gradually emerges and the music breathes naturally. At first, rehearsing has a more intellectual aspect to it. As the rehearsal process progresses, the freer we become to be expressive and let the music speak. This is the point you want to reach by the last rehearsal.
As a conductor, you must wear many hats – a teacher, an interpreter, a leader, a public figure. How do you balance these multiple roles?
It is an ongoing challenge. Even when I am focusing on one aspect, my other responsibilities are always on my mind. I have organized my office in sections (Teaching, being the Music Director of Symphony New Brunswick, guest conducting) and keep a list of the tasks I need to do regarding these different roles in three distinct notebooks. I am constantly revising my lists and making sure I meet my deadlines. Depending on whether I can work for an entire day or have two hours, I focus on different tasks that require different levels of involvement. I like to immerse myself in my work, which makes switching from one responsibility to the next a challenge. I also listen to myself, and I am flexible when I can be. Sometimes, I plan to work on programming the next day, but I wake up and I feel like studying all day! It is a constant and evolving balancing act.
What advice do you have for a first-year student who is just starting their journey?
Nurture the spark you feel in pursuing your dream so that it accompanies you for the rest of your career. Be dedicated, but also be patient with yourself. Becoming a conductor is a long process with ups and downs. It is as much an artistic journey as it is an emotional journey, but that is also what makes it rewarding.
What’s your advice for students looking to be more mindful of their mental health over the coming academic year?
Listen to yourself and allow yourself to feel how you feel. Before being musicians, we are humans. Taking the time to take care of ourselves is even more important than working hard. It is our foundation. I would encourage them to be self-aware and never hesitate to seek help and support.
What music do you consider “essential listening” for music lovers, across any genre?
This is such a difficult question to answer! If we mean “essential” in terms of important works that became canons, there would be too many to list. If I had to pick one that I consider to be an important masterpiece, but that we don’t mention as often as others, I would go with Schoenberg’s Gurre-Lieder. It is also one of my favourite works. If we mean “essential” in a more philosophical way, I would say any music that transports you and brings you on a meaningful emotional journey. Personally, there is one album that I always go back to: “Night Train” by Oscar Peterson.
Upcoming Concerts
McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble | Stories
September 21, 2023 @ 7:30 p.m. - Pollack Hall
McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble | City Sounds
November 8, 2023 @ 7:30 p.m. - Music Multimedia Room
