Named Artistic Director of the Year at the 2022 Opus Awards, Julien Proulx has been at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville (OSD) since 2014, where his thoughtful and audacious programming has revitalized the musical life of his community. A generous and imaginative musician, his ability to think outside the box led him to explore alternative musical ventures during the pandemic, including innovative digital projects and unique concert events. By turning restrictions into opportunities, he found new ways of reaching audiences while empowering musicians to express their creativity.

With the OSD, Julien has twice been awarded the Prix Opus Régions by the Conseil québécois de la musique: first in 2018 for the orchestra’s Prince et Tsar concert and then in 2020 for its Bel Canto concert, two events where the vocal arts took centre stage. 

Julien was conductor-in-residence for the I Musici de Montréal chamber ensemble, working under Maestro Yuli Turovsky. He has also guest-conducted orchestras across Canada, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Orchestre symphonique de Laval, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Les Violons du Roy, the Orchestre du Festival international de Lanaudière, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. A cellist and singer by training, he is also a renowned choral conductor, frequently leading performances of symphonic choral repertoire.