Jean Montès

Director of Orchestras and Coordinator of String Activities

B.A., Duquesne University; M.A., The University of Akron; D.M.A., The University of Iowa

An accomplished conductor, educator, clinician, lecturer, and performer, Dr. Jean Montès is passionate about challenging and stimulating audiences and musicians alike.  He is the Director of Orchestral Studies and Coordinator of Strings at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he conducts orchestral ensembles and teaches conducting and string pedagogy courses for music education majors.  In addition to his responsibilities at Loyola University, Montès is the Artistic Director of The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) where conducts the Symphony Orchestra.   

In recent years, Montès has held orchestral leadership positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, St. Ambrose University, the University of Iowa, and with the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia, and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. 

Growing up in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Montès studied the cello at the Holy Trinity School of Music. He left Haiti after winning a full scholarship to pursue his bachelor's degree in cello performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He then received an assistantship at the University of Akron in Ohio where he also earned his masters in music education. He completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting at the University of Iowa under the tutelage of Dr. William LaRue Jones. His dissertation topic is An Annotated Translation from French to English of the History of Music in Haiti. He is presently focusing his research on the performance and promotion of orchestral works by Haitian composers.

A musician and conductor who enthusiastically promotes music of all world cultures, Dr. Montès is in constant demand as a conductor, clinician, judge and lecturer with orchestras and schools at all levels throughout the country. His unique approach to repertoire selection and rehearsal techniques enables him to connect, to be effective and admired by audiences and musicians of all ages. Most recent appearances include guest conducting the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, giving clinics in Las Vegas and at the Midwest Clinic and performances of Mozart’s The Magic Flute with the VCU Opera Theatre.  He enjoys collaborating with organizations representing the full spectrum of the arts.  Montès led an orchestra in a sold out performance of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Ballet in collaboration with the Metropolitan Ballet project in the Twin Cities.  Additionally, he was appointed by the mayor of Minneapolis to serve as the 2004 Co-Chair of Minneapolis Mosaic, a summer project which celebrates and showcases the talents of over 150 culturally diverse artistic and performance groups from the Minneapolis area. Montès led the creation and the first performance of the Minneapolis Mosaic Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on July 9th, 2004.  The orchestra was made of musicians from the Twin Cities metro area bringing together professional, teachers, community and student musicians creating this fascinating, true mosaic of an orchestra.  The performance featured the world premiere of Mosaic: Cedar and Lake composed by Carry John Franklin.  Upcoming guest conducting engagements will take him to cities such as Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Richmond, Stafford county and Orlando. 

A talented cellist and orchestral musician in his own right, Montès has performed recitals at the Lawrence University Conservatory, in Haiti, and with the Fox Valley, Green Bay, Johnstown and Altoona Symphonies. He also worked as a cello specialist at the Lawrence University Arts Academy and coached youth orchestra cello and viola sections and chamber music in New York, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota, Florida and Virginia.

Montès' experience goes beyond the stage, as he is passionate about education and spent four years in the Fox Valley Area School District (Wisconsin) teaching K-12 strings and conducting multiple ensembles.  He spends his summers teaching strings and directing ensembles at summer music festivals in the U.S. and at the Holy Trinity Music Camp in Haiti where he has been the Assistant Director.

Dr. Montès and his wife, Sarah, reside in New Orleans with their five-year-old son, Jaz Léonard and newborn son Soley Mica both of whom Montès considers to be his proudest achievements. In his spare time, Montès enjoys playing chamber music with friends and sports such as soccer, squash, badminton, biking and ping-pong.  Truly an artist, musician and conductor who embrace the cultural and artistic diversity of the world, he is one who brings the highest level of dedication and enthusiasm to his life profession and all those he serves. 

In addition to his responsibilities at Loyola, Dr. Montès is the Artistic Director of The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) where he oversees all artistic operations and conducts the most advanced orchestra, the Symphony.

Loyola's and GNOYO's Collaborative Efforts

In the fall of 2007, Loyola University's College of Music and Fine Arts and GNOYO entered into a collaborative effort in order to raise awareness of the importance of music education. This collaboration brings together two organizations that believe the same core values that making music is an exhilarating and rewarding experience that helps to provide self-esteem, develop friendships, and promotes teamwork. The two organizations are also committed to promote diversity through outreach and community involvement and to inspire young adults into self-expression.

GNOYO has been recognized both locally and nationally for its commitment to music education.  Now in its thirteenth season, GNOYO provides young musicians the opportunity to participate in a high-quality full orchestra program.  Participants significantly improve individual performance and ensemble skills, while developing professional attitudes and discipline, which empower them to take initiative in their schools and community and to pursue individual and team excellence in all life endeavors. 

The College of Music and Fine Arts at Loyola University New Orleans has had a distinguished reputation of preparing music professionals in an environment of rigorous liberal arts studies for 70 years. Our success can be found in our innovative and cutting-edge programs. The nation’s oldest opera company and historical roots in jazz afforded the College of Music and Fine Arts the opportunity to establish a nationally recognized program in opera and the city’s first program in jazz studies. The College also established one of the first music therapy programs in the nation and developed a nationally renowned program in string education. This tradition of excellence and innovation continues today with a world-class music industry studies program, which provides students the opportunity to learn the music industry firsthand in one of the major music cities in the world.

The College of Music and Fine Arts and GNOYO are proud to join together for the betterment of music education in the community.

 

Click the image to view an exclusive interview with Dr. Montès where he speaks about his life experiences, Loyola, the importance of music education and GNOYO.

 

 

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Office phone: 504-865-2167
E-mail: jmontes@loyno.edu
Website: