Hailed by CBC Music as one of the “Top 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30”, violinist Jacques Forestier began playing the violin at the age of two, and his since delighted audiences in concert halls across North America, Europe, and Asia. A recipient of the Thomas. D Watkins Fellowship at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Jacques is a student of Shmuel Ashkenasi and Pamela Frank as well as Itzhak Perlman at the Perlman Music Program. Jacques made his début with the Edmonton Symphony and Bill Eddins at the age of 11 and looks forward to reappearing with Maestro Eddins and the ESO for concerts in April 2023. He has since gone on to perform with orchestras as a soloist internationally.

The 1st Prize Laureate of the Shean Strings Competition, Jacques also took the Silver Medal and Bach Prize at the 2022 Stulberg International Strings Competition, as well as top prizes at international competitions including the Irving M. Klein, Johansen, and OSM Manulife — most recently.

Jacques is grateful for the support of many and would like to thank the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Anne Burrows Foundation for their generosity in supporting his growth as a musician.