Notable moments in the life and career of Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

1975

Born in Montreal, grows up in Ahuntsic.

1980

Begins piano study under Jeanne-d’Arc Lussier.

1985

Watches Charles Dutoit conduct the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal on television and is inspired to become a conductor.

1988

At age 13, enters the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Montréal to study piano, conducting, composition and chamber music.

1993-94

Studies choral conducting at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J.

1994

Named director of the Choeur polyphonique de Montréal.

1997

Studies conducting under Italian maestro Carlo Maria Giulini.

1998-2002

Chorus master and assistant conductor of Opéra de Montréal

2000

Named artistic director and chief conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain du grand Montréal. Awarded Virginia Parker Prize ($25,000) from Canada Council for outstanding talent, musicianship and artistic excellence in classical music.

2003

Makes recording debut conducting the Orchestre Métropolitain du grand Montréal with Nino Rota on ATMA Classique label, first of some threedozen recordings to date

2004

Makes European guest conducting debut with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

2005

Guest conducts for the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time.

2007

Debuts with London Philharmonic Orchestra. Named principal LPO guest conductor for the 2008-09 season.

2008

Dutoit, then chief conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, invites Nézet-Séguin to guest conduct. He will return a number of times before being named music director for 2012. Also makes Salzburg Festival debut with Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette

2009

Succeeds Valery Gergiev as music director of Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and named principal guest conductor of London Philharmonic Orchestra.

2009

Named to the Royal Philharmonic Society of Young Artists

2009

Makes his debut with the New York Metropolitan Opera conducting Carmen. He will go on to appear annually, culminating in this year’s season-opening production of Otello.

2012

Named Companion of the Order of Canada Sept. 16, 2015 — Signs on for 5 more years as artistic director and principal conductor at Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain.