Lynn Kao

Education

MM/AD, Indiana University and Cologne School of Music, Germany

BM, Indiana University

Lynn Kao is an acclaimed Asian American conductor, vocal coach, and pianist known for her inspiring performances and teaching. She has received recognition from prestigious institutions and media outlets worldwide.

Throughout her career, Lynn performed and worked in opera houses such as the Wiesbaden Opera House, Frankfurt Opera House, Berlin Opera House, Bayreuth Festival Theater, and Teatro alla Scala. Kao has collaborated with renowned musicians such as Brigitte Fassbänder, Daniel Barenboim, Janos Starker, Josef Gingold, and Maria Kliegel. Lynn's expertise as a musician and educator led her to hold positions as an associate professor at the Essen Folkwang University and as a guest instructor at the Cologne School of Music. Simultaneously, she served as the conductor, vocal coach, and pianist at the Wiesbaden State Opera House while taking on guest conductor roles across Europe and Asia.

Lynn's achievements include being a prizewinner at the Sir George Solti International Conducting Competition in Frankfurt, Germany, and winning the audience award at the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition in Belgium. Her piano trio "Enos" also won the Val Tidone International Chamber Music Competition, leading to a successful European tour. Her recording of the Tibor Serly Piano Concerto with the Czech Symphony Orchestra is now part of the Fleisher Collection Series, as is the Cello Master Class with Maria Kliegel with the Schirmer Master Class Series.

Since 2018, Lynn has been the guest conductor of the Gyumri State Symphony Orchestra and an honorary professor at the Gyumri State Conservatory in Armenia. In 2020, she joined the faculty of the Hartt School at Hartford University as a vocal coach, professor, and assistant conductor. Since 2022, Kao has been the music director of opera productions at the Hartt School.