Early in her career in the Dallas post, in October 2014, she stood in as an emergency substitute for Jaap van Zweden with the Symphony No.
[11] Canellakis made her European conducting debut in 2015 with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, as an emergency substitute for Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
[15] On the basis of this series of concerts, in May 2018, the RFO announced the appointment of Canellakis as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.
[18] In December 2018, Canellakis conducted the annual Nobel Prize concert with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the first female conductor to do so.
[20] On 19 July 2019, Canellakis became the first female conductor to conduct the First Night of The Proms, at the Royal Albert Hall (London).
[24] In February 2024, the LPO announced the extension of Canellakis' contract as principal guest conductor for an additional three years.