Eric Gagne
Awards:
Certificates of merit at the International Violin and Bowmaking Competition for a cello bow, VSA, 2024.
Certificates of merit at the International Violin and Bowmaking Competition for a double bass bow, VSA, 2022.
2 Certificates of merit at the International Violin and Bowmaking Competition for a violin bow and for a cello bow, VSA, 2018.
2 Certificates of merit at the International Violin and Bowmaking Competition for a viola bow and for a cello bow, VSA, 2016.
2 Certificates of merit at the International Violin and Bowmaking Competition for a violin bow and a cello bow, VSA, 2014.
«Certificat de Finaliste» for a cello bow at the International Competition of Cello and Bowmaking, VioloncellenSeine, Paris 2012.
As a lover of music, an admirer of fine materials, and as one who has always been fascinated by those with manual expertise, Eric Gagne naturally embraced the metier of bowmaker. He first worked for several years for Blaise Emmelin in France, and after in Brussels at “Maison Bernard”; for Pierrre Guillaume. Driven by a respect for traditional bowmaking techniques, he was also trained in the art of bow restoration.
For 8 years, Eric Gagne shared a workshop with Isabelle Wilbaux in Montréal. He now have his workshop in Sherbrooke, where he makes his bows. He also collaborates with Wilder and Davis workshop, for whom he restores bows everywhere in Canada.
Eric Gagne is a member of the prestigious American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and he is also a founding member of the Maker’s Forum, an organization dedicated to the promotion of canadian comtemporary violin and bow makers. Inspired by a background founded on respect and knowledge of traditional bowmaking practices, it gives Éric Gagné a great pleasure knowing that his creativity serves to foster the creativity of the musician
The joy of playing, the exploration of sound, artistic creation: these are among the many leitmotifs that now guide his work.