2025 Adjudicators

Maxime Despax, a Canadian violist from Gatineau, Quebec, is renowned for his artistry and versatility as a chamber, orchestral and solo musician. He earned his Bachelor of Music at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, followed by a Master's and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Toronto, where his studies were guided by esteemed teachers Calvin Sieb, Emmanuel Beaudet, Jocelyne Bastien and Teng Li. His doctoral thesis, titled 'Historical, Analytical and Performance Perspectives on Arthur Bliss' Sonata for Viola and Piano', reflects his dedication to expanding the viola repertoire and scholarship. Maxime also serves as the Canadian representative of the Arthur Bliss Society in England.

As an accomplished chamber musician, Maxime has collaborated with esteemed artists such as the New Orford String Quartet, the Gryphon Trio, Rob Kapilow, Krisztina Szabó, Philip Chiu, Alex Kerr and Yehonatan Berick. He has also performed as a soloist with ensembles including the Orchestre du Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau, the Indiana University Summer String Academy Chamber Orchestra and the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra.

Maxime is an active member of Quatuor Despax, a family string quartet known for its extensive tours across Canada and internationally in France, Italy and Colombia. He is also a founding member of the Toronto-based Interro String Quartet, which performs regularly throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

In addition to his chamber work, Maxime is a dedicated orchestral musician. He is a member of the Orchestre Symphonique de Gatineau and frequently performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.