KuanFen Liu has profoundly shaped the performing arts community since she arrived in Ventura in 1999. She was instrumental in forming the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, and the Channel Islands Choral Association – with both groups advancing her vision to nurture the next generation of musicians. As the Artistic Director and Conductor of both organizations since their inception, KuanFen has created unique concert series with innovative programming, commissioned new works from local composers, and initiated outreach and mentorship programs in Ventura County school districts. The most recent example of KuanFen’s achievements occurred in the summer of 2022 when KuanFen led a 108-member choir—primarily of Ventura County singers aged 14 to 80—and the New England Symphonic Ensemble in a performance at Carnegie Hall. In addition to her conducting career, KuanFen is an Associate Professor in Music at CSU Channel Islands University where she teaches music theory, music history, recital repertory classes, and performance-related courses. Launched in October 2023; KuanFen was pivotal in building the inaugural degree curriculum of B.A. in Music at CSU Channel Islands. Originally from Taiwan, KuanFen began musical studies at the age of five. She is a graduate of the prestigious Eastman School of Music (M.M.), and Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California (D.M.A.). She has studied under William Dehning, William Weinert, Mark Gibson, and David Effron, and has participated in masterclasses, workshops, and music festivals with renowned conductors including Robert Shaw, Charles Dutoit, Helmuth Rilling, Joseph Flummerfelt, James Jordan, and Dale Warland. KuanFen’s conducting career has enabled her to work with choirs and orchestras throughout the United States and worldwide: including Bangkok, Thailand; Auckland, New Zealand; and Taiwan. KuanFen is one of the guest conductors featured by the MidAmerica Productions' 2024 International Residencies. Working with John Rutter, she will make her European conducting debut in London, England in June 2024. 

To learn more about how KuanFen brings our community together through music, please visit https://www.kuanfenliu.com.