Anne-Sophie Lemaire
About
I'm Anne-Sophie Lemaire, Sub-Leader of the First Violins at the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège and violin assistant at IMEP (Institut Royal Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie) in Namur, Belgium. I studied privately under Boris Kuschnir, an experience that fundamentally shaped how I approach sound, technique, and musical thinking. Between the ages of 16 and 19, I won four international first prizes — including the Prix Deru at the Concours International Vieuxtemps and the Marie Cantagrill International Violin Competition — before securing my permanent orchestral position. I have performed as a soloist with orchestras across Belgium and internationally, in works by Mozart, Ravel, and Bach, alongside artists such as Lorenzo Gatto.
Teaching Style
Direct, precise, and high-demand. I work with students who are serious about improvement and ready to be challenged. My focus is technique — in particular right hand technique, bow control, and sound production. I believe most plateaus in violin playing trace back to the bow arm, and I work systematically to identify and fix exactly that. Beyond technique, I place strong emphasis on smart practice methods — how you practice matters as much as how long. I give honest feedback, not reassurance.
Credentials & Affiliations
- Sub-Leader, First Violins — Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège (2023–present)
- Violin Assistant — IMEP, Namur (2022–present)
- Private study with Boris Kuschnir
- 1st Prize — Concours International Vieuxtemps, Prix Deru (2015)
- 1st Prize — Marie Cantagrill International Violin Competition (2016)
- 1st Prize — Concours Belfius Classics (2013)
- 1st Prize — Hector Clokers Competition (2014)
- Founder & Director — Aurelia International Online Violin Competition
- Executive Director — Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition (2023–2024)
