Congratulations to Elim Chan, the first woman to win the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition.
The competition, which was founded in 1990, strives to support the careers of up and coming conductors. The award is not only generous, but potentially life-changing:
In addition to an award of £15,000, the winner of the Competition will have the opportunity to become Assistant Conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra for up to one year. During this time the successful conductor will work with the LSO’s Principal and guest conductors on the preparation of concerts, often on the assessment of new scores, take part in the LSO’s education and outreach programme, LSO Discovery, accompany the orchestra on tour and, should the opportunity arise, conduct the LSO in concert.
Donatella Flick 2014 conducting competition winner Elim Chan. Photograph: Clive Totman/LSO
You can read the award announcement in The Guardian. Elim Chan is currently a conducting student at the University of Michigan – you can read a short artist bio here. Certainly a career to watch in the coming years!