Coming at you proudly from Syracuse, CirqOvation combines the stunning spectacle of circus with the wit and moxie of Vaudeville. Their artists have worked all over the globe, from the Arctic Circle to Zambia performing for big names including Disney, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers Circus, ...

Coming at you proudly from Syracuse, CirqOvation combines the stunning spectacle of circus with the wit and moxie of Vaudeville. Their artists have worked all over the globe, from the Arctic Circle to Zambia performing for big names including Disney, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers Circus, Chevrolet, NBC, and Britney Spears.

Two years ago, CirqOvation and Symphoria set out on an impossible project: Mounting a production formed in a pandemic that is built on a foundation of a safe, stigma-free creative environment where our artists and production team could feel valued, nurtured, and free to be who they truly are in their bodyminds regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender identity, body type, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, disability, and neurodivergence. We are so happy to be back for another round this year! Thank you for being on this journey with us.

Sora Iriye (any/all) is the Co-Founder, Entertainment Director, and Head Diva of CirqOvation. In 2013, they and their husband, Joshua J. Superstar, founded CirqOvation and started gathering a team of incredibly talented, kind, quirky humans who now make up their performing family. Sora is also a writer and speaker ...

Sora Iriye (any/all) is the Co-Founder, Entertainment Director, and Head Diva of CirqOvation. In 2013, they and their husband, Joshua J. Superstar, founded CirqOvation and started gathering a team of incredibly talented, kind, quirky humans who now make up their performing family. Sora is also a writer and speaker who envisions a world where equity is seen and felt not just as a lawful obligation, but as an act of love to create societal wholeness. Their passion for this work is fueled by the historical and present contexts of her many identities: Japanese-American, Disabled/disfigured, Neurodivergent, and Queer.

Sora is so grateful to Symphoria for always trusting CirqOvation’s vision and cockamamie ideas. They are absolutely humbled by The Nutcracker Twist cast and production team who has inspired her every step of the way.

(They also wholeheartedly regret giving Joshua J. Superstar the agency to write his own bio.)

Instagram: @misssorasol
Website: www.CirqOvation.com
Photo Credit: Positive Exposure for Face Equality International

Joshua J. Superstar (he/him) is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to write his own bio. That said, Mr. Superstar is what is known in the business as a quintuple threat. He possesses the rare combination of herculean strength, unquestionable brilliance, rugged good looks, animal magnetism, and above ...

Joshua J. Superstar (he/him) is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to write his own bio. That said, Mr. Superstar is what is known in the business as a quintuple threat. He possesses the rare combination of herculean strength, unquestionable brilliance, rugged good looks, animal magnetism, and above all else, humility. He has a smile that can stop traffic. He has a sparkling gaze that will surely brighten the day of anyone caught in its path. Anyone lucky enough to merely shake his hand will find themselves overcome with a sense of comfort and ease that can only be matched by a mother’s warm embrace. Joshua J. Superstar graduated in the top 10% of his high school class in 1997.

Roles/Acts: Rat King (Juggling, Unicycle, Aerial Leaf Blower, Pogo Stick, Glass Balancing)
Instagram: @joshuajsuperstar
Website: www.CirqOvation.com
Photo Credit: Avi Pryntz-Nadworny

Linda Lowen (she/they) is the author of Syracuse’s first travel and tourism guidebook, 100 Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die, (Reedy Press 2022), and her newest book is Secret Syracuse: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure (Reedy Press 2023). A book reviewer for Publishers Weekly and ...

Linda Lowen (she/they) is the author of Syracuse’s first travel and tourism guidebook, 100 Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die, (Reedy Press 2022), and her newest book is Secret Syracuse: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure (Reedy Press 2023). A book reviewer for Publishers Weekly and theater reviewer for the Syracuse Post-Standard / syracuse.com, Linda’s nonfiction has been published in the New York Times and in Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less (Artisan Books 2020). More details at LindaLowen.com, 100ThingsSyracuse.com and SecretSyracuseBook.com.

Rob Lok (he/him) likes to balance objects, balance on top of objects and balance on top of people.
See more on Insta @roblokisroblok

Acts: Comedy, Stacking Chairs, Stilts, Juggling

Rob Lok (he/him) likes to balance objects, balance on top of objects and balance on top of people.
See more on Insta @roblokisroblok

Acts: Comedy, Stacking Chairs, Stilts, Juggling

Seth Koproski (he/him) is a performer and theater director based in Ithaca, NY. Aside from last year’s Nutcracker Twist, Seth has appeared locally in shows at the Hangar Theater, Cherry Arts Center, Ithaca Shakespeare Company, and Circus Culture. He is also the writer and director of Cirquest, ...

Seth Koproski (he/him) is a performer and theater director based in Ithaca, NY. Aside from last year’s Nutcracker Twist, Seth has appeared locally in shows at the Hangar Theater, Cherry Arts Center, Ithaca Shakespeare Company, and Circus Culture. He is also the writer and director of Cirquest, a circus and puppetry show being developed by the Ithaca performance community (see @cir.quest on Instagram!). He holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut, a PhD in English from Cornell, and has worked as part of the production staff of the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center for the past fifteen years.

Acts: Cheese, T-Rex (Dance, Character Movement)

Known for her intense teaching style, Dominique Dawkins has a gift of inspiring dancers through her choreography and passion for the nature of dance. She drives her students with her enthusiasm and raw perspectives. She specializes in understanding awareness of one’s soul through movement while educating good technique. ...

Known for her intense teaching style, Dominique Dawkins has a gift of inspiring dancers through her choreography and passion for the nature of dance. She drives her students with her enthusiasm and raw perspectives. She specializes in understanding awareness of one’s soul through movement while educating good technique. Dominique has taught master classes,workshops, and set choreography throughout NY State. Currently the director, owner and choreographer of Dominique’s Dance Creations, she has received numerous choreography awards both regionally and nationally. Dominique has performed and was a part of The Apollo, So You Think YouCan Dance, and America’s Got Talent 2012. Dominique’s passion and raw talent has earned her scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Alley, Dance Theater of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center, and NYSSA. She has over 20 years experience in all different techniques such as, jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, modern, contemporary, acrobatics, and ballroom. Dominique hopes to continue to grow while transcending passion to every dancer she can.

Krystal Osborne (she/her), is a Multidisciplinary Performance Artist, Playwright, and Teaching Artist who received her BFA from Adelphi University. Recent projects include: “Come Out, Come Out Cabaret” (Director), “Symphoria: Nutcracker Twist” (Production and Stage Manager), “Hell is Empty” (Playwright, AAPG), “Melville’d” (Actress- Susanna, AAPG), “Ageless” (Actress- Olivia, ...

Krystal Osborne (she/her), is a Multidisciplinary Performance Artist, Playwright, and Teaching Artist who received her BFA from Adelphi University. Recent projects include: “Come Out, Come Out Cabaret” (Director), “Symphoria: Nutcracker Twist” (Production and Stage Manager), “Hell is Empty” (Playwright, AAPG), “Melville’d” (Actress- Susanna, AAPG), “Ageless” (Actress- Olivia, Four Walls Theatre Company) “Destiny, USA” (Director, Ottawa Fringe Festival), Playwriting Lab Series 2022 (Instructor/Creator). In Directing, she has received many awards including: Achievement in Directing (ACTF), Best Over All Show x 2 (LGT), Best Design Elements (LGT), Best Community Theatre Production (Salt Winner), Best Director (Salt Nominee, 2x Broadway World Nominee). Krystal is also an accomplished and award nominated voice over artist who appears as Timms in Windfall, and Clara in Forgive Me! Both are available on Spotify, iTunes, etc. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Drama Department at Syracuse University. She is thrilled to be working again with her CirqOvation Family and Symphoria. KrystalOsborne@gmail.com

Jamie Ann (she/her) is a mother, skilled events stylist, accomplished designer, and a creative force in the world of brand and digital content creation. Formerly known as the effervescent personality behind The SocietyGurl, Jamie is delighted to return as the costume curator for the second time with ‘Nutcracker ...

Jamie Ann (she/her) is a mother, skilled events stylist, accomplished designer, and a creative force in the world of brand and digital content creation. Formerly known as the effervescent personality behind The SocietyGurl, Jamie is delighted to return as the costume curator for the second time with ‘Nutcracker with a Twist.’ Her passion for storytelling through design brings a touch of magic to every costume, enhancing the enchantment of this timeless production.

Noah Price’s (he/him) circus career began at Coney Island USA where he fabricated props and worked on the sideshow museum renovation. He subsequently immersed himself in circus and sideshow—and began performing as a fire-eater and breather. In 2011 he founded The Gowanus Circus, a Brooklyn-based troupe which ...

Noah Price’s (he/him) circus career began at Coney Island USA where he fabricated props and worked on the sideshow museum renovation. He subsequently immersed himself in circus and sideshow—and began performing as a fire-eater and breather. In 2011 he founded The Gowanus Circus, a Brooklyn-based troupe which was active until 2015. During that time, he discovered that there was a dearth of knowledgeable riggers in New York City. Committed to protecting the safety of his community, Noah called on his rock-climbing background and continued education opportunities to fill in this gap. Noah has been the head rigger for international nightlife destination House of Yes since 2017. He currently works on a range of projects from one-night events to rigging design, installation, and ongoing inspections for venues, schools, and athletic studios. Noah regularly teaches rigging and safety workshops for aerialists and stagehands.

The mission of the Syracuse Youth Chorus (SYC) is to give every young person in CNY the opportunity to be a part of a choir that will not only teach them about music, but help them grow into greater citizens ...

The mission of the Syracuse Youth Chorus (SYC) is to give every young person in CNY the opportunity to be a part of a choir that will not only teach them about music, but help them grow into greater citizens of the world.

Led by founders Katie Webber and Sabine Krantz, the SYC is a community music organization where young singers can come to better their musicianship, music leadership, and mental fortitude. SYC performs in meaningful collaborations, bringing choral excellence and a stronger sense community through music to CNY.  Our students are given the space to move towards their bright and shining futures.

​The SYC is a brand new chorus, whose origin and philosophies are heavily influenced by Syracuse Children’s Chorus founder Dr. Barbara Marble Tagg. When SCC was dissolved in 2018, a large hole was left in the area’s music community for our children. The SYC aims to bring choral singing back to the youth in our beloved CNY.

My name is Shekinah Williams (she/her). I am an all around circus artist. I discovered circus in middle school, deeming it a “side art” while I continued to dance. In 2020, I produced my very own circus show called Change. We are no stranger to 2020. The show was meant ...

My name is Shekinah Williams (she/her). I am an all around circus artist. I discovered circus in middle school, deeming it a “side art” while I continued to dance. In 2020, I produced my very own circus show called Change. We are no stranger to 2020. The show was meant to capture all the unpleasantness of 2020 and it was a success. The following year I produced a follow up show Change 2: We Are the Change which was meant to keep our youth loud and uncensored in injustice and bravery for life in general. After being given the opportunity to direct Change, I never stopped after that: I’ve volunteered in other shows, and gotten paid to help direct senior theses. Recently, I moved Upstate NY to produce a show. That following year I directed another show. When it comes to my craft, I want to be not just about skill but about passion and about supporting the dream of black Art.

Role: Clara

Doug (he/him) is so happy to be spending this holiday season with an audience, the music of Tchaikovsky and among this cast of Circus loving misfits. A Syracuse native known to many as the soap bubble artist “BubbleMan” (bubblemania.com/doug) he has spent most every winter in ...

Doug (he/him) is so happy to be spending this holiday season with an audience, the music of Tchaikovsky and among this cast of Circus loving misfits. A Syracuse native known to many as the soap bubble artist “BubbleMan” (bubblemania.com/doug) he has spent most every winter in snowy Central York except for the two he spent on National Tour with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus as a Clown. Over the course of his 35-plus-year career he has juggled to Khachaturian with the Syracuse Symphony under the baton of Calvin Custer, and for eight years appeared and disappeared as the Sorcerers Apprentice with Landis & Co. Theater of Magic collaborating with the Chicago Philharmonic, Minneapolis Philharmonic and with Maestro Christopher Seaman of the Baltimore Symphony among others. He has been a guest artist for Strings Camp with Lynn Kasper at LeMoyne College many times and invites you and your family to celebrate its next special occasion with the BubbleMan. Doug Rougeux is on Facebook.

Role: Grandfather (Bubbles)

Avi Pryntz-Nadworny (he/him) is an award-winning photographer, movement artist, and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Avi has been a professional circus artist since 2007. Throughout his circus career, he has performed and taught all over the world for a huge variety of audiences. In 2022, Avi was honored to be ...

Avi Pryntz-Nadworny (he/him) is an award-winning photographer, movement artist, and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Avi has been a professional circus artist since 2007. Throughout his circus career, he has performed and taught all over the world for a huge variety of audiences. In 2022, Avi was honored to be a recipient of the Artist Employment Program by Creatives Rebuild New York. He is currently focused on working with Deaf Refugee Advocacy to empower Deaf refugees, asylum-seekers, & immigrants through Theater and movement.
You can follow him at @avitheastounding or @avitheamazing on Instagram.

Acts: Juggling, Cyr Wheel

Bianca Hallett (she/her) is a graduate of Niagara University and most recently made appearances in Broadway World Nominated, Jesus Christ Superstar as Jesus with CNY Playhouse. Previous roles include Thanasis Theatre’s debut production of Fugitive Songs as Rachel which earned her a Broadway World Nomination for Best ...

Bianca Hallett (she/her) is a graduate of Niagara University and most recently made appearances in Broadway World Nominated, Jesus Christ Superstar as Jesus with CNY Playhouse. Previous roles include Thanasis Theatre’s debut production of Fugitive Songs as Rachel which earned her a Broadway World Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Professional Musical, as well as their cabaret shows Reaching for the Stars and The Eve of Divas and world premier showing of Jesus, Son of Man. Previous musical credits include Once on This island (Asaka), Footloose (Wendy Jo), Music Man (Miriam), as well as High School Musical (Taylor) and All Shook Up (Lorraine) with The Talent Co. Previous play credits are Bang, Bang You’re Dead (Katie) and Charming Princes and Desperate Damsels (Sleeping Beauty). IG: @BiancaUrsulaa

Caroline (Callie)(she/her) took to the air before she could walk, climbing curtains, dressers, trees and anything she could crawl to. She began her official circus journey with the Flying Gravity Circus in NH and went on to become a NECCA grad. She has performed with companies across ...

Caroline (Callie)(she/her) took to the air before she could walk, climbing curtains, dressers, trees and anything she could crawl to. She began her official circus journey with the Flying Gravity Circus in NH and went on to become a NECCA grad. She has performed with companies across the US and internationally including Cirque du Soleil. She performs with the Boston Circus Guild, and is 1/2 of DuoShadow with Rachel Barringer. Her specialties are dance trapeze, and duo & solo hoop.

Acts: Aerial Silks, Duo Aerial Hoop

Cora has been stilt walking for about three years ranging from Professional Shows, Private Parties and Margaritaville! Cora’s other passion is modeling. She appreciates CirqOvation giving her the opportunity to work with them again! Instagram: @aaroc_

Acts: Stilt Walking, Dance

Cora has been stilt walking for about three years ranging from Professional Shows, Private Parties and Margaritaville! Cora’s other passion is modeling. She appreciates CirqOvation giving her the opportunity to work with them again! Instagram: @aaroc_

Acts: Stilt Walking, Dance

Jason Ngo (he/him) is a local artist from Syracuse, NY and has performed on stage both as an actor and dancer. He has also performed on stage as his drag persona, Yuka Liptis. Growing up he has been a part of breakdance groups and dance teams competing around ...

Jason Ngo (he/him) is a local artist from Syracuse, NY and has performed on stage both as an actor and dancer. He has also performed on stage as his drag persona, Yuka Liptis. Growing up he has been a part of breakdance groups and dance teams competing around the Central/Upstate NY region. Jason is always looking for opportunities to express himself through art, whether it be acting, writing or dancing. IG jockin_jay.

Act: Dance

Morgan (she/her) and Nathan (he/him) perform together as The Crescent Circus and are coming to us from New Orleans. They got their start street performing together in Jackson Square, which is named after – for those who don’t know – a shape with four sides. They have since ...

Morgan (she/her) and Nathan (he/him) perform together as The Crescent Circus and are coming to us from New Orleans. They got their start street performing together in Jackson Square, which is named after – for those who don’t know – a shape with four sides. They have since appeared on America’s Got Talent, The Tonight Show and Late Night…is what they’d write here if it were true. Instead, they’ll hope you gloss over the last part of that sentence and just enjoy the show!

Acts: Illusions, Juggling

Rachel (she/her) is an aerialist and contortionist based in New England. She performs on aerial hoop, silks, rope, multi-cordes, and aerial straps. She is one half of Duo Shadow with Caroline Wright, and they perform on duo hoop and duo braided loops. Recently Duo Shadow created, co-produced, and ...

Rachel (she/her) is an aerialist and contortionist based in New England. She performs on aerial hoop, silks, rope, multi-cordes, and aerial straps. She is one half of Duo Shadow with Caroline Wright, and they perform on duo hoop and duo braided loops. Recently Duo Shadow created, co-produced, and performed HELIX, their first full-length circus show in collaboration with Circus 617 and Contemporary Circus Immersive Arts Center in Troy, NY. Rachel has performed with Shanghai Circus, Boston Circus Guild, Santa’s Circus, Cirque de Light, Nimble Arts, and more. She is also a founding member of Circus 617, a contemporary circus company based in Boston. Rachel coaches aerials and contortion at Esh Circus Arts in Somerville, Commonwealth Circus Center in Jamaica Plain, and Eastern Acrobatics and Circus in Natick, MA. She also has two chihuahuas named Morty and Bamford.

Acts: Contortion, Aerial Silks, Duo Aerial Hoop

Rik Daniels (he/him) appeared on “Sunday Morning” and “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” in his youth for his achievements as a NYC Champion Gymnast, ultimately becoming a 7-time NCAA All American. A speaker, model, dancer and performance artist, he presents for AmericanDancewheels.org; and is a touring ...

Rik Daniels (he/him) appeared on “Sunday Morning” and “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” in his youth for his achievements as a NYC Champion Gymnast, ultimately becoming a 7-time NCAA All American. A speaker, model, dancer and performance artist, he presents for AmericanDancewheels.org; and is a touring company member of OmniumCircus.org. Rik is honored to continue to be working with CirqOvation.com and Symphoria in their 3rd annual “Nutcracker Twist” production! Rik lives with his loving husband, Marc, and their two pets, Rosey and Lily. He is eternally grateful to God and his Mom for blessing him with such a remarkable life! RikDanielsPerformer.com

Acts: Dance, Acrobatics

Ryunosuke Yamazumi (he/him), an extraordinary Japanese circus artist specialised in big ball juggling, chinese pole and LED show. Ryunosuke has been performing his sensational acts for galas, circus companies – such as Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, and Flip Fabirque – and variety of festivals of all over the world : ...

Ryunosuke Yamazumi (he/him), an extraordinary Japanese circus artist specialised in big ball juggling, chinese pole and LED show. Ryunosuke has been performing his sensational acts for galas, circus companies – such as Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, and Flip Fabirque – and variety of festivals of all over the world : in Canada, Germany, UK, USA, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Belgium, Africa, Malaysia and Japan. He won the First Prize in Extreme Talents 2009 in Quebec, the Second Place in the TV show Zoink’d in Canada and Jury’s Special Prize at Izhevsk International Circus Festival and Circus Idol 2016 in Russia.

Acts: Chinese Pole, Big Ball Juggling

Maker Comet, founded by artist and maker Rei Cameron, pioneers unique, interactive experiences that immerse viewers into fantastical worlds. Rei’s work fuses her real-world models and two-dimensional digital artworks with virtual reality. These one-of-a-kind pieces span both the physical world and the virtual. She is passionate ...

Maker Comet, founded by artist and maker Rei Cameron, pioneers unique, interactive experiences that immerse viewers into fantastical worlds. Rei’s work fuses her real-world models and two-dimensional digital artworks with virtual reality. These one-of-a-kind pieces span both the physical world and the virtual. She is passionate about sharing her expertise so that others, especially women, can tell their stories through VR. Rei currently resides in Mesa, AZ with her kitty kids and husband. Find out more information here: https://linktr.ee/makercomet

Circus Culture is Ithaca NY’s very own circus school that provides circus education and opportunities to all in the Finger Lakes region and beyond. At Circus Culture we believe in dedicated play, creative physicality, and inclusive community. Visit us at circusculture....

Circus Culture is Ithaca NY’s very own circus school that provides circus education and opportunities to all in the Finger Lakes region and beyond. At Circus Culture we believe in dedicated play, creative physicality, and inclusive community. Visit us at circusculture.org

Possessing a wide range of symphonic repertoire from Baroque to contemporary music, conductor Ching-Chun Lai has worked with professional orchestras, such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Chamber Players, Gstaad Festival Orchestra (Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Switzerland), Madison Bach Musicians, New Jersey Symphony, New Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), Richmond Symphony ...

Possessing a wide range of symphonic repertoire from Baroque to contemporary music, conductor Ching-Chun Lai has worked with professional orchestras, such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Chamber Players, Gstaad Festival Orchestra (Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Switzerland), Madison Bach Musicians, New Jersey Symphony, New Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as regional orchestras.

In the course of her conducting career, Lai has performed in Jordan Hall in Boston, Overture Center and Music Hall in Madison (Wisconsin), and Chung-Hsin Concert Hall in Taiwan. She has prepared the orchestra and served as assistant/cover conductor for Gunther Schuller, JoAnn Falletta, and André Raphel, as well as Christof Perick, Larry Rachleff, and Duain Wolfe. Lai has also collaborated with renowned artists, such as the Berlin Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet, percussionist Aiyun Huang, violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, trombonist Burt Mason, and bassist Barry Green.

With her deep interest in opera and new music, Lai has conducted the world premiere of Maura Bosch’s opera Art and Desire, a University of Wisconsin-Madison commission. She has also worked for opera productions of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, L’elisir d’amore, and Maria Stuarda, Handel’s Alcina, Massenet’s Thaïs, Britten’s Turn of the Screw, and many others. A great success, the performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Madison Bach Musicians were described in Isthmus as “consistently excellent, from the opening triple-chorus to the final double chorus, while the harmonized chorales were soaring anthems of faith.” She collaborated with the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and was a founding member of the group, New Muse. With these dynamic musicians, Lai undertook several significant projects including fully-staged performances of Eight Songs for a Mad King by Peter Maxwell Davies, and performances of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire.

Lai made her conducting debut at the age of 19 with Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University Wind Ensemble and was appointed conductor of that ensemble soon after her first engagement. During her tenure, this ensemble won music competitions in Taiwan, became one of the top university wind ensembles in the country, and was invited by the Asian Pacific Band Festival to perform in the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Lai is currently appointed as Director of Orchestral Activities & Engagement and Associate Professor of Orchestral Conducting at Rutgers University. Prior to this appointment, she held the post of Director of Orchestras and Associate Professor at the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam for over a decade. During her tenure, the Crane Symphony Orchestra has advanced swiftly in both quality of performance and reputation. The orchestra has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In Potsdam, Lai appears annually in Potsdam’s traditional holiday “Candlelight Concert,” broadcast nationwide by PBS. As part of Crane’s mission for community engagement, Lai and the Crane orchestras tour regularly throughout the Northeastern United States.

A committed educator and experienced ensemble clinician, Lai has worked with numerous youth orchestras and university ensembles in Taiwan, Canada, and United States.  She has conducted Boston University Symphony Orchestra, as well as several honors orchestras in New York State and Massachusetts, given conducting masterclasses at universities in Taiwan, and served as ensemble clinician in New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Canada. Other highlighted educational engagements include a joint concert of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, performed in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater.

Lai twice received the Church Memorial Conducting Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in recognition of emerging conductors who show great professional promise. She was recently granted a competitive research award, the Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Program sponsored by the State of New York/United University Professions.  Her interdisciplinary projects at SUNY-Potsdam include a collaboration with trombonist Burt Mason for the Untold Legacies residency (a series of concerts and discussions about diversity in classical music) as well as the Bill Williams’s residency, Path to Optimal Performance.

A Protégé of Gunther Schuller, Lai worked with the legendary maestro for over ten years. In addition, she worked with Neeme Jarvi and Johannes Schlaefli at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Academy in Switzerland, and participated in the Dallas Opera’s Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors. Masterclasses include work with Gustav Meier, JoAnn Falletta, Larry Rachleff, and Kenneth Kiesler. Lai holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Music in Conducting with Distinction in Performance and Academic Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music. Lai also holds a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Aeronautics Engineering from the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. She has previously held faculty positions at The Ohio State University (Director of Orchestral Studies and Visiting Professor of Orchestral Conducting) and Mount Holyoke College.

Ching-Chun Lai is represented by William Reinert Associates.