Elena Fortin

I started out picking out melodies on the family organ and begged and begged my parents for music lessons. After rapidly devouring an 8-book method series, my teacher recommended I switch my attention to piano. 

I completed my piano studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Pierrette Froment-Savoie and went on to receive my Bachelor's degree from Ottawa University where I studied piano, accompanying, conducting, and percussion. 

A wide variety of gigs have included playing in award-winning high school bands and ensembles, playing with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and Ottawa Youth Orchestra, participating in concerto competitions, musicals, DCA drum corps, Ballet/Tap school accompanist, page turner for CBC concerts and recordings, instructor for group Yamaha classes, private teaching, choir membership and directing, church organist, music director in children's groups, arranger and composer. <whew--I'm older than I look!!>

My favourite thing in the world is to read music. I have a huge library, collected over the years, and on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@elenafortinmusic
I have posted several projects: 3 years of learning 40 pieces over 10 months, 3 years of arranging and composition projects, and currently a video-a-day self-taught jazz challenge!

When I can find the time, I also love sitting at the piano and asking questions--that's my favourite way to arrange. The best arrangements start with the question: "What happens if..." I'll ask my fingers: what happens if we use the chords but change the melody, what happens if my fingers decide to do the walking... 

Publishing these "musings" took a little bit of courage, but happily, the arrangements are bringing joy around the world. It is always fun to see where in the world my music has traveled and to see people post videos of my work.