Yves Laroche was born in Pine Falls, Manitoba and moved to Ottawa in his early childhood.
At 11 years old, he began his piano studies in classical music in the Royal Conservatory Method and taught himself to play other styles such as Blues, Rock, Folk and Jazz. He learned to play the accordion expanding his musical experience to other genres such as Ethnic music, Latin American music and European cabaret.
On several occasions, Yves performed at The Ottawa International Jazz Festival with The Bytown Cats, Carole Filion Quintet, Yves Laroche Quartet, The Tuesday Night Jazz Band and The University of Ottawa Jazz Ensemble. He also performed at The Ottawa Blues Festival, Le Festival Franco-Ontarien, The Gatineau Clog, Festival Mongolfière, The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship and The Tulip Festival. He made several television appearances such as "The Rita McNeil Show" (CBC) "Chez-Nous" (CBC) and "The Morning Show" (The New RO). He was the arranger for CBC radio's "Ottawa In Concert" featuring Vanessa London.
He was music director and pianist for the National Art Centre production of "Angel Square" by Brian Doyle. Other experience in musical theatre includes: "Jesus Christ Super-Star", "Godspell" (Gallilee Proclaims) and "Once Upon A Mattress" (Orpheus). . Presently, he hosts a jazz night at Café Nostalgica, and continues to play regularly at local jazz clubs such as Vineyard's Wine Bar & Bistro, The Bayou and many others.
Yves is planning a recording project and is composing a "Mini Jazz-Opera."
In 1993, Yves Laroche obtained a BA in Music at the University of Ottawa. He was tutored by Douglas Voice and studied Jazz Improvisation and Arranging with Dave Hildinger.
At the age of 20, he began to teach piano and eventually was hired by Dominic's Academy of Music in Kanata. His experience as a versatile performer allowed him to teach many styles of music; this attracted many students seeking skills other than the Royal Conservatory Method. He eventually constructed a system called Keyboard Skills teaching students to adapt to many piano styles. Many of the students have become professional musicians, to name a few: Stephen Boudreau, Tyler Kealey,and Shinya Sato.
In 1993, he obtained a teaching position at the Bells Corners Academy of Music (formerly the Music Nepean Symphony School) and later became Music Director in 1995. He created a successful Jazz Ensemble program giving youth the opportunity to perform in many community events and to do professional recordings. They won seven gold an five silver medals at The Kiwanis Music Festival and were recently invited to play at the lift-off of the "Millenium Project" which was hosted by Deputy Prime-Minister Herb Gray. In 2002, The Tuesday Night Jazz Band performed on the main stage of The Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Under the supervision of Miguel Sosa, a former Music Director, Yves created a fun but intense two-week Summer Jazz Camp which has grown since its conception in 1993.
His teaching experience with the Music Department at the University of Ottawa includes 7 years directing the Jazz Ensemble, one year teaching Arranging for Jazz Ensemble, one year teaching Arranging for High-School Band and one year as a Teachers Assistant for Ear Training. The Music Department invited Yves to be a guest performer at the Alumni Gala Concert and give a lecture on Jazz Harmony. Yves recently obtained a sessional teaching contract for the Music Department at Carleton University.