He studied Gregorian chant with Dom Jean Claire at the Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey in France and conducted privately with Simon Streatfeild (1983–87), Pierre Dervaux at the Domaine Forget (1986, 1987), in Saumur, France (1987), and briefly at the Bachakademie in Stuttgart, Germany with John Eliot Gardiner (1991).

Labadie subsequently served as music director of Les Violons du Roy from its creation in 1985 through 2014.

[6] In May 2017, the Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) announced the appointment of Labadie as its next principal conductor, effective with the 2018–2019 season.

In March 2022, the orchestra announced the extension of Labadie's contract as principal conductor through the 2024-2025 season.

[8] In February 2024, OSL announced that Labadie is to stand down as its principal conductor at the close of the 2024-2025 season.