Yannick Nézet-Séguin Receives Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Conservatory of Music

The Fellowship recognizes individuals who have had "a profound impact on society through music and the arts"

Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been named the recipient of an Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto. The honor is the highest designation conferred by the institution. Nézet-Séguin was initially offered the Fellowship in 2020, but was unable to receive the honor due to pandemic restrictions.

A native of Montreal, Nézet-Séguin has been Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the city's Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000 and is closely associated with its sound. He is also in his twelfth season as Music and Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, with his contract extended to 2030.

In 2018, Nézet-Séguin signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon and spearheaded the Philadelphia Orchestra's return to recording. To date, Nézet-Séguin has led the ensemble in 13 releases on the DG label, with one — a disc of symphonies by Florence Price — winning the GRAMMY Award for Best Orchestral Performance in 2022.

Nézet-Séguin previously served as Musical Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (he is now honorary conductor), as well as being principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 2008 to 2014.

His other honors include being a member of the Companion of the Order of Canada, Companion to the Order of Arts and Letters of Québec, an Officer of the Order of Montréal, and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2016 he was named Musical America’s Artist of the Year and he also holds eight honorary doctorates.

"It is an honor to be recognized in my home country by The Royal Conservatory of Music, a renowned institution that has had a transformative influence on music education in Canada," Nézet-Séguin said. "This fellowship is also meaningful to me because my mother and father devoted their lives to higher education. As a Fellow, I feel even more connected to my family and to their vocations."

"Honorary Fellowships are conferred upon individuals who have had a profound impact on society through music and the arts," said Dr. Peter Simon, the President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music. "Yannick’s extraordinary and wide ranging musical activities inspire millions of people throughout the world and bring the great beauty and meaning of our art form into their lives."

"Yannick’s work extends also into music education and his work with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra remains a memorable experience for the students who had the privilege of participating in that exciting musical journey."