Women power in classical music
Top management, conductors, composers, a concertmaster
Ten female figures are featured in an article published today by The Paper in celebration of International Women’s Day.
This piece is part of a broader coverage highlighting women’s creativity across literature, theatre, stand-up comedy, fine arts, cinema, dance, musical theatre, and classical music in Shanghai.
Among those in the classical music industry, the article spotlights four conductors, two composers, one concertmistress, and three administrators.
Women in Arts Administration
Among the top management figures, the article features:
Zhang Xiaoding, General Manager of the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Luo Xiaoci, a renowned guzheng player and Director of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.
Fedina Zhou, who has led the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Hall since 2016.
Liu Ming, one of the youngest concertmasters of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, is featured on the cover.
Women Conductors
The article highlights three orchestral conductors and one choral master:
Zhang Jiemin, Associate Conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, formerly its Assistant Conductor.
Peng Fei, Resident Conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.
Kedirye Kurban, a Uyghur-born conductor from Urumqi, educated at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, now a professor at Tongji University, where she also conducts the university orchestra.
Wang Yida, a soprano and choral master, leads several community choirs and teaches music at Tongji University.
Composers of the Younger Generation
Two emerging female composers, both teaching composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, are also introduced:
Ju Wenpei, a prolific composer for film, TV, drama, theatre, and dance. Her score for a mainstream blockbuster released in 2019 won top awards in China and is considered her best work to date.
Wang Ruiqi, whose music was highlighted at the 2024 Shanghai Contemporary Music Festival. She is currently serving as music director for an upcoming concert at the Formula 1 Grand Prix racetrack in Shanghai, a key satellite cultural event.
The article is available in Chinese as an open share.