Mei-Ann Chen
Mei-Ann Chen Appointed Incoming Director of Orchestral Activities and Chair of Conducting at Manhattan School of Music
The Taiwanese American conductor – renowned as a versatile, compelling, and dynamic presence on the podium – assumes this important role beginning in the 2026–27 academic year.
Renowned international music conservatory Manhattan School of Music (MSM) today announced that acclaimed conductor and educator Mei-Ann Chen will become Director of Orchestral Activities and Chair of the Conducting Program. In her new role, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, Ms. Chen will provide strategic and artistic leadership for the MSM orchestra program, teach and mentor conducting students, and regularly conduct the MSM Symphony Orchestra as part of the School’s annual performance season. Ms. Chen succeeds George Manahan, whose intention to retire from the institution after an association of more than 55 years, was announced in December.
“We are delighted to announce this appointment and are looking forward to welcoming Mei-Ann on campus in a few short months,” says MSM Executive Vice President and Provost Joyce Griggs. “Mei-Ann has led the MSM Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions – as recently as last October – so she has already proven herself a strong fit with the School and its tradition of providing both a forum for artistic excellence and a nurturing, supportive learning environment. Her leadership will contribute to shaping a cohesive, pedagogically grounded vision for MSM’s orchestral experiences.”
“Mei-Ann is a consummate and passionate artist and educator,” says MSM President James Gandre. “One need look no further than her lengthy and impressive list of past engagements with the world’s top orchestras for a sense of just how uniquely qualified she is for assuming this leadership role on MSM’s esteemed faculty.”
Among those orchestras are: San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore Detroit, Houston, and Seattle in the US; and abroad the BBC Symphony, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Vienna’s Tonkunstler and ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Staatsorchester Darmstadt, Symphonieorchester Liechtenstein, Sweden’s Gothenburg and Malmo symphonies, the Netherland’s Residentie Orkest Den Haag and Netherlands’ Philharmonic at the Concertgebouw, Helsinki Philharmonic, Spain’s Basque National Orchestra and Madrid Orchestra, Brazil’s Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, to name but a few.
Ms. Chen’s impressive international schedule includes her ongoing tenure, since 2011, as Music Director of the MacArthur Award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta. Chief Conductor of Austria’s Recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte since fallv2021, she is also Artistic Advisor of Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA), Artistic Partner of Houston’s ROCO, and of Northwest Sinfonietta (WA). She has made recordings for Cedille Records, Innova Records, and Naxos, and with Chicago Sinfonietta, she released Black Being with composers/flutists Flutronix for Cedille earlier this season.
A passionate advocate for music education, Ms. Chen dedicates significant time in mentoring young conductors through various programs, including the Chicago Sinfonietta Freeman Conducting Fellowship program and the Taki Alsop Fellowship, and conducts ensembles at important educational institutions, both nationally and abroad. An acclaimed communicator praised for her energy and enthusiasm, Ms. Chen is a sought-after guest conductor and has appeared with distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, The United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and her native Taiwan (over 160 to date), and continues to expand her relationships with orchestras worldwide.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mei-Ann to MSM in this important role,” says MSM Dean of Instrumental Studies and Orchestral Performance JT Kane. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Mei-Ann over many years, and she is an extraordinary artist whose musicianship, leadership, and commitment to mentorship have inspired musicians and audiences around the world. She has a well-earned reputation for dynamic artistry and imaginative programming, and she brings to MSM a wealth of experience working with both professional orchestras and young artists alike. At MSM, we are dedicated to preparing the next generation of musicians for meaningful and impactful careers, and Mei-Ann’s passion for education and artistic excellence aligns perfectly with that mission. Our students will benefit tremendously from her insight, energy, and the experience she brings both to the podium and the classroom.”
“It is such an honor to join Manhattan School of Music, a globally renowned conservatory, and its esteemed faculty,” says Mei-Ann Chen. “The MSM Community creates the ideal balance between world-class prestige and kindest incubator. It is a dream combination and a rarity among top music schools. Since the beginning of my professional career, I have been an advocate for tomorrow’s artists and the importance of quality education because I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the phenomenal mentors who saw the possibilities I couldn’t see for myself. I am thrilled to have the chance to pay it forward by adding to MSM’s tremendous impact in our evolving industry and contributing to the artistic growth of the next generation as they refine their unique creative voices!”
Learn more about Mei-Ann Chen.