Chia-Hsuan Lin (pronounced “jah-shwen”), acclaimed for her vibrant conducting style, is celebrated for her energy and precision. In 2024, Lin began her role as Music Director of the Rochester Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the Richmond Symphony, where she had served as Associate Conductor since 2016. 

Chia-Hsuan has conducted prestigious ensembles like the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and Chautauqua Symphony, while debuting with the Charlotte Symphony and Portland Symphony in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Lin has worked with major orchestras such as the Saint Louis Symphony, Virginia Symphony, 
and Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Her extensive experience includes covering for notable conductors like Marin Alsop and Gianandrea Noseda at the New York Philharmonic and National Symphony.

Notably, Lin received praise for stepping in last-minute with the Williamsburg Symphony for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, and for her Dvořák Symphony No. 8 performance with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. A champion of community and education, she has led engaging programs for youth and public performances, including Richmond Symphony’s record-breaking “Come and Play” event.

Lin’s musical journey began with piano at age three in Taiwan, later studying percussion before focusing on conducting. She holds a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and resides in Baltimore with her husband, horn player James Ferree..