Elim Chan (born on November 18, 1986) is a classically-trained Chinese musician and conductor. The oldest of three siblings, she started playing piano at the age of six and sang in choirs throughout her adolescence. Initially, Chan travelled to the US to study psychology but ultimately decided to change careers during her second year of college. In 2009, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in music at Smith College. She continued her music studies at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Kenneth Kiesler, where she obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate in orchestral conducting. At age 28, Chan became the first-ever female winner of the Donatella Flick-LSO Competition in 2014, which landed her a tenure as assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. In the following years, Chan became the chief conductor for Swedish opera company NorrlandsOperan and the Royal Scottish National, filling in for Estonian American conductor Neeme Järvi. Following her appearance as guest conductor of the Antwerp Symphonic Orchestra, Chan was appointed chief conductor, becoming the youngest person to ever occupy that role.
