A native of Montreal, Serge Desgagnés has held the Principal Percussion chair of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1997, having collaborated with the OSM as early as 1982. A first prize winner in percussion and solfeggio at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, he also studied in New York with marimba master Leigh Howard Stevens. Desgagnés initially performed with different ensembles in the Montreal area, including the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, with whom he appeared as soloist, as well as several chamber music groups. Before joining the OSM, he occupied the Principal Percussion position with the Orchestre Métropolitain. He has also taught percussion at the Faculté de musique de l’Université de Montréal.