“Canada’s Favourite Children’s Artist of the Year (2004)” (CMW “Indies” Awards) is at it again.  Coming off a successful five-month North American Tour, Étienne is currently on his highly anticipated World Tour 2005.  Running from February to August, this new concert tour will see him perform shows from coast to coast in Canada and the United States as well as several shows in major cities throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Since arriving on the Children's music scene in 1993, tens of thousands of children, parents and educators, in homes and classrooms around the world, have been rockin' and hip hoppin' to the distinctive English, French and Spanish music of Étienne.  One of the most recognizable names in Children’s and Educational music, Étienne breaks down barriers and makes learning fun for all ages.  Parents and teachers praise the music as inspiring.  Each song effectively teaches a range of topics from basic alphabet, numbers and vocabulary to all forms of grammar.  The popularity of the music and demand for concert appearances compels Étienne to split his teaching duties with his musical obligations.   His performances are praised as "interactive and motivating," "a class act," and the "ultimate educational experience."  Étienne juggles a teaching career with sold-out concert tours, annually presenting keynote addresses and workshops at major North American Foreign language conferences, as well as writing and producing new material.

Étienne is the stage-name of Steven Langlois, Department Head of Modern Languages/Library at Kennedy Collegiate Institute with the Greater Essex County District School Board.  Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, he began performing at a young age.   While attending the University of Windsor, where he graduated with a B.A. in French Language and Literature and a B.Ed., he began composing songs designed to help children learn English, French and Spanish using popular styles of music.  Now residing in LaSalle, Ontario, with his wife and two children, he has taught English and French to students from grades one to twelve for the past thirteen years.  
 

Étienne authors and composes for several widely-used international school programs produced by leading educational companies including Thomson Nelson, Oxford University Press, Pearson Education, Prentice Hall, Ginn and Gage Canada.  His music is distributed in most major music stores and by Children’s and Educational distributors worldwide.

Recent Awards and Honours:

Winner of the “Canada’s Favourite Children’s Artist of the Year Award (2004)” (CMW “Indies” Awards).  Nominees for this award were chosen by members of the music industry and winners were determined by national fan-based voting.

Winner of the “2003 Children's Album of Year” award at the Canadian Music Week “Indies” Awards ceremony  where his CD “C’est le temps” was chosen over those of many established Children’s artists including Fred Penner.

Recipient of the 2003 Helen B. St. John Award for “outstanding professional contribution and leadership in the field of modern languages” from the Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association.  Akin to a ‘lifetime achievement award,’ Étienne is the youngest person to be awarded this honour.

Winner of a “2002 Parents' Choice Award” for his video “Rockumentaire.”  This educational music video was placed on the same esteemed list as the then, newly released Harry Potter film.   Étienne’s CD “C'est le temps” also earned a “2002 Parents’ Choice Award.”

 "Me Gusta” Étienne's latest CD release with Educorock Productions Inc., is described as “the perfect teaching tool.”  Continuing in the spirit of his seven previous releases (and countless singles), this CD comes power-packed with catchy hip-hop, club dance, rap, rock and reggae tracks.  This musical versatility is the reason children continue to enjoy the music of Étienne into their teen years.  Each high-energy song is matched with its purposeful, educational lyrics which are designed and guaranteed to improve Spanish.

Educorock Productions Inc. continues to enlist the talents of many fine Canadian artists who contribute to this CD.  Jay Riehl (South Mountain), who took time-off from touring in Europe, added vocals, percussion and production expertise. Well-known teacher and creative talent Petra Ramos is also featured. 

Reaching beyond his music, Étienne interacts regularly with his fans via his website www.grammarjams.com.  Established in 1995, this highly-acclaimed website receives 100,000 hits per month and features the "Fan Zone Riddle Contest" where fans can win CDs, posters, videos and T-shirts for answering riddles and challenges.