Jean-Michel Malouf,
Conductor
"A distinguished, fair and flexible conductor, deeply attentive".
- Christophe Huss, Le Devoir
Praised for the clarity of his conducting, his warmth, and his instinctive musicality, Jean-Michel Malouf is a Canadian conductor whose stage presence radiates an engaging and communicative energy. Since 2023, he has served as Artistic and Music Director of the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, where he brings a renewed artistic vision while strengthening ties with local communities. He previously held the same position with the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Symphony Orchestra from 2016 to 2025.
Winner of the Jean-Marie Beaudet Prize in conducting (2016), Malouf is frequently invited to lead major Canadian ensembles such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain, Les Violons du Roy, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Nova Scotia. His operatic credits include productions with Opéra de Québec and Opéra de Nancy (France).
Originally trained as a trombonist and founding member of the Impact Brass Quintet, Malouf turned to conducting in 2005 under the guidance of Raffi Armenian. He later served as conductor-in-residence with I Musici de Montréal and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, while also leading numerous youth and community orchestras across Quebec.
Deeply committed to musical education, he has taught orchestral conducting at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and regularly conducts at various camps and festivals, including the Camp musical Père Lindsay.
A curious and versatile artist, Malouf has collaborated with performers from diverse backgrounds, including soprano Sumi Jo and legendary Quebec singer Diane Dufresne, whom he accompanied on tour in Quebec and at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. In 2025, he was appointed Director of the Contemporary Music Ensemble at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal.
Jean-Michel Malouf’s career is defined by listening, sensitivity, and openness, nurturing a genuine and dynamic relationship with both musicians and audiences.
