Xian Zhang (conductor)

Born in Dandong, Liaoning, China, to musician parents,[1] Zhang began to learn music as a child with her mother on a piano built by her father.

Her first conducting appearance was at age 19 with the China National Opera Orchestra in a production of The Marriage of Figaro.

She became an assistant conductor with the New York Philharmonic in 2004, and her conducting debut with the orchestra was in a Young People's Concert that year.

[10][11] In December 2010, the Nederlandse Orkest- en Ensemble-Academie (NJO; Dutch Orchestra and Ensemble Academy) named Zhang its artistic leader, as of the summer of 2011.

[13][14] In November 2015, the NJSO announced her appointment as its 14th music director, effective in September 2016, with an initial contract of 4 years.

[23] In September 2024, the Seattle Symphony announced the appointment of Zhang as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season, with an initial contract of five years.