Taiwan's Taipei Music Festival and Academy Names New Artistic Director

David Chan, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, will step into the role for a three-year term

The Taipei Music Festival and Academy (TMAF) recently announced that violinist David Chan, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, will serve as its new Artistic Director. A Taiwan native, Chan will hold the position for an initial term of three years.

Dedicated to cultivating young musical talent and promoting artistic exchange in Taiwan and abroad, TMAF brings young Taiwanese musicians into contact with international musicians.

A graduate of Harvard University and The Juilliard School, David Chan is presently in his 25th season as concertmaster of the MET Orchestra. He has been a laureate of competitions such as the Tchaikovsky and Indianapolis competitions.

Chan is also a committed pedagogue and is currently a professor at The Juilliard School, Head of the Orchestral Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music, and Principal Conductor of the Apollo Orchestra. He also spent 13 years as Artistic Director of the Musique et Vin au Clos Vougeot Festival in Burgundy, France, which he also co-founded.

In recent years, he has been increasingly in demand as a conductor, with engagements at Belgium's l'Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and l’Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne in France, as well as the Grant Park and Classical Tahoe summer festivals.

2025 brings a number of new beginnings for TMAF, including the arrival of Fabio Luisi as conductor of the TMAF Orchestra.

"TMAF is, for me, unique in the world of classical music festivals," Chan said. "Besides boasting an artistic and educational level that is second to none, there is a palpable sense of personal care and musical community, where mentorship paves the way to friendship and mutual respect. I am deeply honored to be able to continue the work of this singular and vital organization."

"I have a deep sense of belonging to and affection for Taiwan, and contributing to Taiwan’s music education and international cultural exchange is something to which I have always aspired."

"I have had the privilege to witness David’s remarkable musicianship and humanity firsthand," said Che-Yen Chen, TMAF CEO. "I couldn’t be more excited to see him step into this artistic leadership role. With our shared passion and belief in TMAF’s immense potential to impact Taiwan’s cultural influence worldwide, I am eager to work alongside him as we lead the organization into this exciting new chapter!"