Northern Illinois University
School of Music
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Blaise Magniere

Professor, Richard O. Ryan Endowed Chair in Violin

Praised for his “virtuosic skill” (Stage and Cinema), “poised expression", and “sweet, refined tone” (Chicago Classical Review), French violinist Blaise Magniere is a highly acclaimed chamber musician, active both in the U.S and abroad. He has toured extensively, including venues such as Wigmore Hall in London, Herculessaal in Munich, the Schneider Series at Carnegie Hall, Ravinia Festival, Mostly Mozart, La Jolla Festival and the Caramoor Festival. As the first violinist of the Avalon String Quartet, he was the top prizewinner of the Munich ARD Competition and Grand Prize winner at the Concert Artists Guild Competition.

His performances and conversation have been heard on BBC, CBC (Canada), ABC (Australia) and France-Musique. He has recorded for the Channel Classsics, Cedille, New Tangent and Albany labels, and earned the 2002 Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Award. A highly dedicated teacher, he has successfully prepared students for orchestral auditions and top graduate programs.

As an assistant to the Juilliard String Quartet, he coached chamber music at the Juilliard School. He was on faculty at Indiana University South Bend before arriving at Northern Illinois University.