Elim Chan
One of the most sought-after artists of her generation, Elim Chan epitomizes modern orchestral leadership through her crystalline precision and zeal. She was principal conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra from 2019 to 2024 and principal guest conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra from 2018 to 2023.
Having made her highly acclaimed debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the 2023 BBC Proms, Chan conducted the orchestra again at the First Night of the Proms in 2024. Summer 2024 also saw her reunite with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, appear with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at the Edinburgh International Festival, and make her debuts with the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg at the Salzburg Festival and with the Kammerakademie Potsdam at the 2024 Beethovenfest Bonn.
Highlights of Chan’s 2024–25 season include touring projects with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and MCO Academy, her highly anticipated return to the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and her debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Other engagements include debuts with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, and return appearances with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony.
A native of Hong Kong, Chan studied at Smith College and at the University of Michigan. In 2014, she was the first female winner of the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, enabling her to spend the 2015–16 season as assistant conductor at the London Symphony Orchestra. The following season, Chan joined the Dudamel Fellowship program of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also owes much to the support and encouragement of Bernard Haitink, whose masterclasses she attended in Lucerne in 2015.