Suzie LeBlanc has been the Artistic and Executive Director of Early Music Vancouver since 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the organization since its founding in 1970. A celebrated soprano, early music specialist, and passionate advocate for Acadian culture, she is recognized internationally for her artistry and leadership. In 2015, she was appointed to the Order of Canada, and in 2024, she was named Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Embassy. She also holds four honorary doctorates in recognition of her contributions to music and education.
Originally drawn to dance, Suzie’s deep love for music began in childhood, from lying under the piano during her sister’s lessons to drumming on kitchen pots to Bolivian folk records. Her path shifted in Montreal when a Monteverdi concert ignited a profound connection to early music. Studies in harpsichord led her to sing, and a chance opportunity with Vancouver’s New World Consort set her on an international career. A London critic’s remark—”I must listen to more early music when this lady sings”—confirmed her place in the field.
From replacing Emma Kirkby in the Consort of Musicke to performing at the Nederlandse Opera, Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, and the London Proms, Suzie’s career has been shaped by curiosity and instinct. She has sung leading opera roles, recorded works from Mozart to Messiaen, and explored her Acadian heritage through albums like La Mer Jolie and Tout Passe. She embraces contemporary music, film, and even a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, always drawn to projects that resonate deeply.
For Suzie, music is an ever-evolving journey of self-discovery. Whether on stage, in nature, or leading an organization, her artistry is guided by a simple philosophy: follow what moves you.
with some of EMV’s closest friends and supporters. (Venice)
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Which neighbourhood are you in?
I live in Mount Pleasant.
What do you do?
I’m the Artistic and Executive Director of Early Music Vancouver and a professional singer.
What are you currently working on?
I’m putting the final touches on our LUMEN festival – February 14 to 16, 2025. LUMEN is a vibrant festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. A centrepiece of LUMEN is our concert, Bach Ties the Knot, featuring soprano Dorothee Mields, renowned for her charm and emotional depth, in Bach’s Wedding Cantata BWV 202, written for his own marriage, and other Bach works, all brimming with joy to reflect the festival’s theme of light returning. I’m also planning the Early Music Vancouver’s summer festival – our 55th anniversary year! – which will take place from July 24 to August 8, 2025.
Where can we find your work?
For information about Early Music Vancouver’s LUMEN festival and the entire season, visit Early Music Vancouver to explore the full lineup of events.
You can find information about me as a singer and my upcoming performances on my website.
