4Q Interview with Dominique Dupuis,one of New Brunswick's finest musicians.

Dominique Dupuis has been entertaining music fans since she was nine years old. With four great albums to her credit, , numerous nomination and awards from the industry, her music career continues to shine. We are very fortunate to have Dominique answer some questions her at 4Q. Her website is listed below. 

4Q: Your web pages give us a good history of how your music and passion for the violin developed over the years. When you were younger, what was the defining moment when you decided that the violin would be such a big part of your life?

DD: Although there was no defining moment per se, I really fell in love with playing violin when I started performing. My first teacher, Ernest Despres, took me under his wing. When I stepped on stage for the first time, when I saw the effect of music, how much joy it could bring, THAT’S when I knew music would occupy a very important part of my life. I started out playing for family members, including my siblings who were not thrilled to wake up every day to the oh-so-painful sound of a fiddler-in-training, in nursing homes and at special events. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment and of joy seeing people’s faces light up when I played. And it’s that feeling that I knew I couldn’t live without. 

4Q: You toured France in the fall of 2013 and if I’m not mistaken, you have just returned from playing in Europe. Please share what that must be like and do the audiences there differ from your fans in the Maritimes?

DD:  I just got back from New York City where I was performing for a private event. In 2013, I spent a total of 5 weeks in France. I started playing in Europe in 2002 and since, I’ve been to Switzerland, France, Belgium and Italy. Evidently, audiences differ from the ones we have here in the Maritimes. When we perform overseas, we are considered by many as an “exotic” act. Audience members are attentive and extremely respectful. On a few occasions, I remember hitting the last notes of a tune while wondering if the public enjoyed the performance, and just at that moment, hearing the crowd’s applause erupt. Once you get used to the cultural differences, you get to just truly enjoy the moment. I’ve performed in amazing venues, from the Stade de France, in Paris, in front of more than 55,000 people, and at the foot the Alps, in the forests of Northern Italy, to the site of the Normandy landings, on D-Day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel the world, fiddle in hand, because you get to see a different aspect of the world. Throughout the years, I’ve met many wonderful people and musicians, as well as developed a loyal fan base. I just love what I do and am blessed to have so many people show their appreciation. 

4Q: Please share a childhood memory or anecdote.

DD: I have so many! It’s hard choosing just one! In 1999, I did my first-ever international tour, in Louisiana, at the age of twelve. I was a shy girl who just loved playing. I didn’t have any musicians accompanying me, so the Festival international de Louisiane organizer, Lisa Stafford, set me up with some of her friends, Henri-Paul Bénard and Kenneth Saulnier, members of the Acadian group Suroît. I was a huge fan of the group and was thrilled to perform with them. I was also very shy, especially sharing the stage with such veterans. I refused to talk during my shows, so the boys had to do the talking for me. So embarrassing! I can’t believe they let get away with it, but I guess I was cute… J But when it came to fiddling, I certainly made up for it! Experiences like that are the ones that helped form the woman and artist I am today. Just knowing that so many people believed in me!

 

4Q: Not only are you busy with your music but your family is a large part of your life. You are married to Danny Bourgeois, a very talented drummer and you have two boys, Emerik and Isaac. How do you fit everything into what must be a very busy schedule?

DD: Danny and I met through music. We have a shared passion for it and I think that keeps us grounded in all things! Of course, as a mom, kids and family come first, but I have that this whole new chapter in my life is also very inspiring! I’m at a point in my career where I finally know who I am as an artist, and that feels great! Also, I would not be able to do what I do without the love and support of our families. Whenever we leave, we have Mémère and Pépère on duty to take care of the children and the dog, and that takes a huge load off our shoulders and gives us the time we need to perform. When our boys are a little older, we’ll hopefully be able to take them on the road with us and let them discover the world, like we did.  Who knows, maybe some day they’ll be part of the band, too! Ha! Ha!

 

Thank you so much Dominique. We wish you continued success and look forward to hearing more of your music. Please visit Dominique’s web site at www.dominiquedupuis.com and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DominiqueDupuis.violoniste.  

Here's a YouTube video of Dominique for you to enjoy:
 http://youtu.be/gMy6STCSE-Q

 

 

Next week I'm going to talk about my five favorite novels. Five books - five different authors. Stories that I've read several times. Books are piled up everywhere around my house and I love it!