Biography
Australian conductor, Dr. Katherine Chan, is known for her energy and enthusiasm on the podium. As Director of Choral Activities and Associate Teaching Professor of Music at Northeastern University, Chan conducts the Northeastern University Choral Society (Chorus), Chamber Singers, Mosaic Advance Treble Ensemble, and teaches courses in conducting, music theory, and piano. A sought-after choral clinician, Chan also serves as the Artistic Director of Boston Choral Ensemble and R & R Collegiate Chair for ACDA Eastern Division.
Chan has presented and performed at prestigious international festivals and conventions, including: Australia National Choral Association (ANCA) Choralfest National Convention and state conventions, National Conductors’ Symposium, Canada, and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conventions (graduate conducting masterclass with John Nelson, and placed among the top four finalists at the National Graduate Conducting Competition 2017) and All-State Honor Choir Clinician/Conductor. Chan has also been a conducting scholar with Maestro Helmuth Rilling, conducting at Oregon Bach Festival, Taipei Bach Festival and Hong Kong SingFest. Other notable engagements include work with Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Minnesota Chorale, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Cantata Singers & Ensemble, Back Bay Chorale, Xi’an Symphony Chorus (China). In 2017, she placed among the top four finalists at the ACDA National Graduate Conducting Competition, international top-12 finalists in the World Choral Conducting Competition 2019, and top 6-finalists at the Romano Gandolfi International Competition for Choral Conductors in Italy in 2023.
Prior relocation to the United States, Chan was extensively involved in Australia’s choral community. She held positions on National Council, and Queensland & Northern Territory State Committee for Australian National Choral Association (ANCA). She held numerous positions throughout Australia including as the musical director of Choral Connection, choir director St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Brisbane, and musical director of the Queensland Chapter of Australia Youth Choir (a division of the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts Australia).
In addition to conducting, Chan also actively performs as a soprano and pianist/accompanist. As a soprano, she toured Italy with the Brisbane Concert Choir, and performed as a core member of Fusion Vocal Ensemble, performing at the 10th World Choral Symposium in South Korea in 2014. As a pianist/accompanist, Chan has also been a collaborator for Queensland Opera and The Queensland Pops orchestra.
Chan received her Bachelor of Music Performance and Pedagogy in piano from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University, and won numerous awards including the Brisbane Women’s Club and Yvonne Hayson Bursary, the Ruby C. Cooling Piano Bursary, and M. K. Lassell Piano Scholarship. She received her Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Washington, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Minnesota (UMN) under the mentorship of Kathy Saltzman Romey and Matthew Mehaffey.