Olivier ochanine biography

Expat Spotlight: Olivier Ochanine - On Stage with a Talented French Maestro

On stage, Olivier conducts himself as a "benevolent dictator." He gives an impression of a strict and attentive instructor with firm posture, and focused, strong gazes. Wielding his baton like a weapon, a quick motion from Olivier at the helm of the orchestra can produce a swelling symphony or an abrupt hush from Hanoi's top musician.

When he is not in the spotlight, Olivier is quite approachable. He can often be found in the practice room, hosting workshops, and teaching lessons to young students. Whether he is in tuxedo on opening night, or on an offday in plain T-shirt and jeans, Olivier's eyes light up when the topic is about his family, the Sun Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

Hanoi-based Music Director and Conductor of the Sun Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Olivier Ochanine (Photo: Olivier Ochanine Facebook).

Enchanted by Vietnam's beauty, French conductor and flutist began to compose a new chapter of his musical adventure in the Southeast Asia country since 2017 as SSO Music Director and Conducto

Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton

Conductor Olivier Ochanine (MM ’07, conducting), USC Thornton alumnus and music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, has received first prize at the 2015 Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition in Budapest. The prestigious competition, created in honor of the Hungarian-born conductor and composer who became an American citizen in 1947, was held in collaboration with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MAV in November.

A native of France, Ochanine undertook his studies in conducting, flute, and bass in the United States. In 2003, he was given the Conducting Department Award at USC Thornton, where he studied with Larry Livingston and John Barnett. Ochanine first took the role of music director with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010 and has served as guest conductor with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati College Conservatory Orchestra, and the Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra.

Olivier Ochanine (top, center) with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MAV for the 2015

We are thrilled to announce that CCM student Olivier Ochanine has returned home from Budapest with first prize in hand from the inaugural Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition. Ochanine is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in orchestral conducting under the tutelage of CCM Professor Mark Gibson.

In addition to a cash prize of €1.500, Ochanine has been offered a career-advancing contract proposal with Contempoars International Artists Agency.

This exciting new competition for conductors is open to all ages and nationalities. Over the course of six days competitors advanced through five rounds in total. While the eliminatory round welcomed an unlimited number of applicants, jurors only advanced 30 people to the first round. By the end of the competition, jurors eliminated all but three outstanding contestants who advanced to the final round.

In the final round, contestants rehearsed for 60 minutes with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV. Each rehearsed two pieces, Béla Bartók’s Hungarian Peasant Songs Sz.100, and either Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6

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