Conductor Elim Chan to Step Down from Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

The Hong Kong-born conductor is in her fifth season with the orchestra

Conductor Elim Chan has resigned from her position as Chief Conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra — a position she has held since the opening of the 2019/20 season when she was selected to succeed Edo de Waart.

Born in Hong Kong, Chan studied at Smith College and at the University of Michigan. Her conducting career took off when she became the first woman to win the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition in 2014, and as a result, she became Assistant Conductor at the London Symphony Orchestra for the 2015/16 season.

Chan attended masterclasses with Bernard Haitink in Lucerne throughout that season, and at its close, she was accepted into the Dudamel Fellowship program at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

She has appeared with many other orchestras, including the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Oslo Philharmonic, and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

During the remainder of her tenure in Antwerp, Chan will record a disc of music by Ravel, Prokofiev, and Elizabeth Ogonek. Her final concerts will take place in May of 2024, with violinist Midori scheduled as soloist.

"My time with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra was important on so many levels," Chan said of her departure. "We have been able to learn and grow together and I wish the orchestra every success. I have fond memories of my time in Antwerp, collaborating and touring with the orchestra, and I look forward to returning to the wonderful Antwerp audience in the future."

"She developed her own, energetic style with which she effortlessly captivates the audience during her much-attended concerts," wrote the orchestra in a statement.