‘I always thought it’s possible’: Elim Chan on being an Asian female orchestra conductor

Elim Chan never planned to be an orchestra conductor, but she was inspired as a young child by watching Hong Kong conductor Yip Wing-sie, also a woman, do her magic on stage. The scene reminded her of Mickey Mouse from Disney’s Fantasia - The Sorcerer's Apprentice. She wanted to be a “magician” like Mickey and Yip. Now, Chan is one of the few female conductors in the world. “Usually the expectation is so low”, said the Hong Kong-born conductor. “But once I start, those noises sort of stop.” In 2014, Chan became the first woman to win the major Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, opening up her international career.The 38-year-old musician was back in her home city to conduct for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in November 2024. In this episode of Listen to Her, Chan sat down with Post editor Regina de Luna and talked about music, gender stereotypes and her plans of returning to Asia.