Continuing a career of firsts: Mei-Ann Chen, first female Asian conductor to be named Chief Conductor of Austria’s recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte

Taiwanese American conductor Mei-Ann Chen officially takes on the post of principal conductor of recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte beginning this fall, making her the first female Asian conductor to serve as chief conductor of the ensemble. She is also one of the first female Asian conductors to hold such a position with an Austrian orchestra.

The new five-year post with recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte is Ms. Chen’s first major European appointment. In addition to her role with Styriarte, Mei-Ann Chen is music director of the MacArthur Award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011, making her the first Asian female conductor to lead the orchestra as its second music director, and is the first-ever artistic partner of Houston’s ROCO (River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) (since 2019).