Estelle Lemire graduated from the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Montréal after extensive musical studies from 1982 to 1991. A student of Jean Laurendeau, she was awarded a First Prize in Ondes Martenot performance (1988) and also studied composition under Gilles Tremblay, receiving a First Prize in composition in 1991. Her curriculum also includes Music Analysis in the class of Gilles Tremblay, for which she was awarded a second Prize in 1990, as well as training in electroacoustic music with Yves Daoust.
A soloist and chamber player, specializing in Ondes Martenot for over 25 years, Estelle Lemire focuses mainly on the performance of new music while advocating better knowledge and appreciation of her instrument. She has performed for radio and television programs as well as for contemporary music organizations, ensembles and festivals in Canada and the United States. Her recordings include a solo album for the SNE label and a Messiaen CD with the Ensemble d’Ondes de Montréal for the ATMA label. In addition to playing staple works from the Ondes repertoire, like Jolivet, Milhaud, Messiaen, Varèse, Murail, Vivier and Boucher, Estelle gave the premiere performances of several works by contemporary composers.
As a composer, her catalogue comprises over fifty scores written for soloists, chamber music ensembles and orchestra. Her works have been performed across Canada by new music ensembles and various festivals in Canada and abroad. She is the recipient of numerous grants and commissions from the Canada Arts Council, Radio-Canada/CBC and from the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec. She is currently composing A brief history of the Ondes (CAC) and just beginning Madrigal for quartet and electroacoustic (CALQ).
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