CONRAD CHU

​Conductor and pianist Conrad Chu has built a reputation as an artist equally well-versed in opera, orchestral and choral repertoire, with a strong affinity for contemporary styles.  A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, he settled in New York after earning his master’s in orchestral conducting from Mannes School of Music, as a student of Michael Charry and Samuel Wong.  Long active in music education, Mr. Chu most recently served in 2018-19 as Director of Performance at Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he music directed both the Union College Chorale and the Union College & Community Orchestra.

In recent years, Mr. Chu has attracted particular attention for his opera work, appearing with small companies that specialize in contemporary productions.  From 2013 to 2015 he was appointed assistant conductor with Gotham Chamber Opera, formerly the nation’s leading chamber opera company.  Other companies for whom he has music directed or assisted include American Opera Projects, Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Opera on Tap, Beth Morrison Productions, Rhymes With Opera, The Shakespeare Concerts (Boston), and Victory Hall Opera (Charlottesville, VA).  Most recently, in fall 2019 he made his debut at Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico, participating as assistant music director on the world premiere of a children’s opera by composer Augusta Read Thomas called Sweet Potato Kicks the Sun.

In the New York orchestral scene, Mr. Chu has guest conducted a wide range of community and academic ensembles, including the Hunter College Symphony, Queer Urban Orchestra, Gemini Youth Orchestra, Centre Symphony and Queens Symphony.  He also has a lengthy background in choral music, having served ten years as the choral director at Eugene Lang College of The New School.  Since 2017 he has music directed the North River Sing Community Chorus, a Jersey City mixed choir devoted to the Great American Songbook.

Conrad Chu would like to thank the musicians of Litha Symphony for the privilege of serving as guest conductor since 2015, and is thrilled that our favorite home-town orchestra is back in business.