Singaporean conductor Lien Boon Hua is acclaimed as one of Asia's leading interpreters of contemporary music, celebrated for his stylistic versatility and emotional depth. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was invited in 2022 to lead the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in a landmark concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of Esplanade, Singapore’s national performing arts center. Since founding Wayfarer Sinfonietta in 2021, Lien has established the ensemble into a dynamic force in Singapore, known for its artistic excellence and bold programming.
Lien’s international conducting career spans collaborations with renowned orchestras across three continents. His 2025 season includes return engagements with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Chinese Orchestra, alongside debuts with Resound Collective, Little Giant Chinese Chamber Orchestra, and others. In Asia, he has conducted the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra, and Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra. His European engagements include performances with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, NFM Wrocław Philharmonic, Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra, Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra in Cluj-Napoca. In the United States, he has led the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphoria in Syracuse. He has also appeared at many music festivals such as the Singapore International Festival of Arts, IntAct Festival, Thailand International Composition Festival, Gdańsk Music Festival and International Mozartiana Festival.
Previously, Lien served as Assistant Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (2016-2018) and at the Richard Strauss Festival (2018) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Through the prestigious Peter Eötvös Foundation Mentoring Program, he refined his expertise in contemporary music under luminaries including Peter Eötvös, Heinz Holliger, Kaija Saariaho, and Hanspeter Kyburz. His conducting excellence was recognized with second prize at the 2018 Antal Dorati International Conducting Competition.
Beyond his symphonic and contemporary work, Lien is an ardent advocate for Asian composers on the international stage, a commitment reflected in his diverse artistic pursuits. Appointed Conductor of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra in 2024, he continues to explore his cultural heritage and Asian musical traditions. At the same time, Lien has rapidly risen as an opera conductor, regularly leading acclaimed productions with regional companies such as Singapore Lyric Opera, Kuala Lumpur City Opera, The Opera People, and Lirica Arts.
Lien’s talent has earned him invitations to prestigious international festivals and recognition from esteemed figures, including the late Bernard Haitink and Peter Eötvös, as well as Paavo Järvi, Cristian Măcelaru, and Tsung Yeh. His has participated in masterclasses with eminent orchestras such as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lucerne Festival Strings, and Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he was named an inaugural Mahler Conducting Fellow for the Colorado MahlerFest XXIX.
A dedicated educator, Lien has served on the faculty of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music since 2019, where he directs the contemporary music ensemble OpusNovus and teaches conducting. Under his leadership, OpusNovus embarked on its maiden tour to Australia in 2023. In 2024, Lien expanded his educational impact as Visiting Lecturer of Large Ensembles at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music. His commitment to nurturing young musicians extends to work with the ASEAN-Russian Youth Orchestra, RondoFest Festival Orchestra, Orchestra of the Music Makers, Hong Kong Children’s Symphony Orchestra, and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra.
Lien holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Neil Varon and received the Walter Hagen Conducting Prize. His academic foundation includes degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, with additional studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
(updated Feb 2025 – Please destroy all previously dated materials & do not alter this biography without approval)
Résumé and repertoire list available upon request here