Jerome Blais

Jérôme Blais is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music at the Fountain School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, with a cross-appointment in Canadian Studies. His research and creative work intersect traditional composition, improvisation, and Canadian music traditions.

• Education: BMus (McGill), MMus (Montreal), DMus (Montreal)

Dr. Blais' work explores the fusion of composition and improvisation, focusing on performance practices and Canadian music. His compositions have been performed internationally by ensembles like the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ), Bozzini String Quartet, and Orchestre Métropolitain, and featured at festivals such as Shattering the Silence and Ok.Quoi!.

His compositions have been recorded on CDs like Live Wired (2015), Between the Shore and the Ships (2012), and Piano Atlantica (2010). Recent projects include the multimedia show Mouvance, premiered in 2019 and nominated for an Éloize Acadian Cultural Prize in 2021.

• Awards & Grants
• SSHRC, FQRSC, CALQ, Arts Nova Scotia, and Canada Council for the Arts funding
• New Chapter grant (2017) and Concept to Realization grant (2021)
• ECMA Best Classical Composition nominations (2013, 2014)
• Arts Nova Scotia Established Artist Recognition Award (2017)

Dr. Blais teaches courses in music theory, composition, and Canadian music, including Tonal Counterpoint (MUSC 3284) and Topics in Canadian Music (MUSC 4362). His research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, with collaborations spanning multimedia, poetry, and cross-Canadian festivals.