Simon Rivard is one of the most sought-after conductors on the Canadian music scene, as evidenced by his most recent appointment as Music Director of the Edmonton Opera, the first in the company’s history.  

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This upcoming season sees Rivard on the podium for reengagements with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Orchestre symphonique de Québec, as well as mainstage débuts at the Toronto Summer Music Festival and Opéra de Montréal in Puccini’s La bohème. Simon returns to his position at Edmonton Opera, conducting Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, and Aquarius: Songs of the Stars. He also continues his collaborations with Toronto-based chamber ensemble The Happenstancers in projects spanning from early baroque to modern experimental.

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From 2018 to 2022, he held the title of RBC Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where he was mentored by Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis. Since 2019, he has been an Equilibrium Young Artist, as part of Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan's mentorship program for early-career professional musicians. Born in Montréal, Rivard studied violin performance with Anne Robert and orchestral conducting with Raffi Armenian at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He completed an MMus in Orchestral Conducting at McGill University under Alexis Hauser and Guillaume Bourgogne.