I am thrilled to be making my debut with Houston Grand Opera next season, conducting Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (in German) with a starry case including Paul Appleby, Janai Brugger, Joshua Hopkins, and Aigul Khismatullina.

After 25 years as concertmaster of the famed Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the time has come in my career to share everything I’ve learned with the young people who represent the future of our magnificent art. Joining the fantastic community of colleagues and students at Rice is the perfect opportunity to do that.

It is truly a great honor to have now been named Artistic Director of the Taipei Music Academy and Festival (TMAF). I know no other festival quite like it. In addition, as a musician of Taiwanese background, contributing to Taiwan’s music education and international cultural exchange is something to which I have always aspired.

I have had the privilege over the past two seasons of working with the Apollo Orchestra, both as conductor and as concerto soloist. An instant rapport was formed with the musicians, and recently Apollo invited me to become their Principal Conductor. I will assume the title beginning with next week’s season-ending program of Hindemith and Mahler.