Étienne Lévesque

New-Brunswick born percussionist, Etienne Levesque, is known in Toronto as a versatile, bilingual musician, completing his musical training both in French in Moncton New-Brunswick, and then in English at the University of Toronto to complete his Master’s in classical percussion performance. Etienne has been sought after to perform in operas and orchestras with Opera Bel Canto, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Kingston Symphony, Kitchener Waterloo and Symphony New-Brunswick; as well as alongside renowned percussionist Beverley Johnston.

With ten years of performing and teaching experience, Etienne has reached out to many aspiring students. His teaching experience spans from giving clinics to Innu children in northern Labrador, to teaching at multiple Classical Music Summer Camps in Moncton New-Brunswick, giving percussion clinics up near Barrie, teaching privately, as well as producing and teaching a “creative music making” percussion camp in Dalhousie New-Brunswick.

Etienne can be seen performing regularly on drumset within multiple groups. With: The Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Contemporary band, the Civic Light Opera Company as the band leader, She Never Sleeps Genesis cover band, and INfusion percussion quartet.

His love of creating has brought him to compose the soundtrack to: a National Arts Center emerging artist theater project, a Clay and Paper Theater production, an Urban Jungle theater collaboration, an INTER-ARTS MATRIX project with the Blue Rider Ensemble, and a Father John Redmond Catholic school collaboration with dancers.
Etienne also has interests in world music. He has been a part of many groups of many different cultures such as Balinese gamelan groups, Iranian Orchestra, African drumming, and Samba and Maracatu Brazilian music groups.

Outside of his percussion persona, Etienne expresses interest in the study of the art of clowning and miming.

Hobbies: Playing Cribbage (the card game) or watching a good drama on Netflix.

Musical influences: Genesis and other progressive rock bands, Brazilian samba, Balinese Gamelan music, Christian rock, Combo and Big band jazz, Musical theater, Orchestral music, African music, Phil Collins and Bill Bruford.

Favourite food: Bacon! It just works in any meal!

Least favourite food: Well, anything overcooked or undercooked would be terrible.. (I’m not a picky eater otherwise).

Favourite music: It depends on the mood i’m in, but a lot of the time Sufjan Stevens is there for my ears!

Favourite song: Happy Birthday when it is sung for me is pretty great, since I would be surrounded by people I love.

Favourite movie: Forrest Gump. The story of an amazing character that really did a lot of good in the world. He inspired me to be a better pingpong player too! :)

Favourite movie music: I love the fun and lively movie music of Danny Elfman. He wrote the music for the Simpsons too.

Favourite musical theatre/opera: Tosca is my favorite opera. It was my first opera to play percussion for, and is still my favorite to listen to. Puccini has an awesome way of composing for voice and orchestra that is able to keep the intensity but not sacrifice the beauty.

Best quote from your teacher: -Try practicing away from the instrument by visualizing yourself playing the instrument, it will help you when you get to the instrument.

Favourite quote: “A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new” -Albert Einstein

Favourite book: The power of now by Eckhart Tolle. It’s just phenomenal.

Best thing about teaching at ABC: Having some awesome drum sessions with my students! Rock and Roll!