A Macau-born conductor and pianist, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra and a former Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. A prizewinner at the 2014 Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Russia, he was the first Chinese conductor to serve as an assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and is active on the international stage.

From a keyboard in Macau to the conductor's podium on the world stage — Lio Kuokman carried the small city's name into international music.

Lio Kuokman is a Macau-born conductor and pianist.

Profile

  • Chinese Name: 廖國敏
  • English Name: Lio Kuokman
  • Born: 1981 (Macau)
  • Domains: Culture · Music
  • Subject type: Conductor · Pianist

Background

Lio Kuokman was born in Macau in 1981 and played piano from a young age. He trained at the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, moving from piano to conducting on his path into international music.

Career

I. The international stage

In 2014 Lio won a prize at the Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Russia and was engaged as an assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra — the first Chinese conductor to hold the post. He guest-conducts orchestras across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

II. The Macao Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic

Lio is Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, working to raise his home orchestra's standard and international profile; he is also a former Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. From Macau, he has become a central figure in Hong Kong and Macau music.

Key Achievements

  • Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra
  • Former Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic
  • Prizewinner, 2014 Svetlanov International Conducting Competition
  • First Chinese assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Information compiled from publicly available sources (Wikipedia, Macao Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic materials). If anything is inaccurate or needs updating, please contact us — we aim to respond within 48 hours.