Dominique Daron
Administrator France
Dominique Daron is passionate about music and education, with an exceptional career spanning more than 45 years dedicated to promoting artistic practices in schools and the community. Born in 1958, he began his musical training on the violin at the Clermont-Ferrand conservatoire at a very early age and went on to obtain his diploma at the Thiers conservatoire. His passion for music led him to play in the university orchestra conducted by Jean-Louis Jam, to found the Connivences string quartet in 1993, and to take part in the creation of the Musica Mediante association directed by Pablo Pavon. A versatile violinist, he joined the Orchestre symphonique Sostenuto and became concertmaster of the Da Camera ensemble, specialising in baroque music, until 2015.
His commitment to education began in 1976 when he became a primary school teacher, then a primary school teacher, before specialising in music education. In 1986, he was appointed maître-formateur and, from 2001, Conseiller pédagogique départemental en éducation musicale in the Puy-de-Dôme department. In this capacity, he plays an active role in the academic policy of artistic and cultural education, with particular emphasis on the development of vocal, choral and dance practices. He is renowned for his ability to pass on his passion and knowledge, both to his pupils and to his colleagues, and for his contribution to many innovative musical and choreographic projects.
Dominique Daron is also a fervent advocate of traditional musical practices. From 1976, he adopted a self-taught approach to traditional fiddling, which led him to join several traditional music groups, including the Pérotine group from Saint-Genès-Champanelle. In 1989, after several years’ research into popular repertoires, he obtained the State Diploma in Traditional Fiddle Teaching.
As a choral conductor, Dominique Daron stands out for his longstanding work with young choristers. In 1987, he founded the Musique et Danse association in Saint-Genès-Champanelle and set up the Carolan children’s choir, which he directed for twenty-seven years, welcoming over a thousand children to a variety of musical projects. His expertise in choral conducting also led him to head the Campanelle mixed choir from 2005 to 2011, and again from 2021, where he continues to share his passion and inspire new talent.
A committed community activist, Dominique Daron has chaired the Musique et Danse association since it was founded in 1987, and is behind the Volcamuse Festival, which celebrates local music and culture. He was also involved in the creation of the Sostenuto orchestra, which he chaired for ten years, and has participated in numerous other artistic and cultural initiatives. In recognition of his many contributions to education and culture, he has been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, the Officier des Palmes académiques and a number of other honours.
Today, Dominique Daron continues to exert a major influence in the music world, notably by collaborating with the Spirito chamber choir, a national centre for vocal art in Lyon, and by sitting on the board of directors of the Willems International Federation. His career bears witness to an unwavering commitment to the transmission of musical and artistic culture, the promotion of civic education and the enrichment of local and national cultural heritage.