synthia ko

Artistic Director and Chief Conductor

"Orchestral excellence begins with heart — and we nurture both. At MYO, every rehearsal is a journey of discovery, where young musicians learn to connect, inspire, and lead through music. We don’t just build orchestras; we ignite passion, nurture purpose, and shape the next generation of confident leaders through the power of orchestral training."

“Extremely musical and with good technique, a truly promising young conductor.”
— Siqing Lü, world-renowned violinist

“Talented and musical young conductor.”
— Edo de Waart, Former Artistic Director, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

“Maestro Synthia Ko’s captivating conducting... delivered a world-class performance to the audience of Kunming.”
— Yunnan Info Daily

“Her romantic and melancholic approach… provided excellent support for the violin soloist.”
— Hong Kong Headline News

Hong Kong-born conductor Synthia Ko is known for her expressive artistry, versatile musicianship, and dedication to audience engagement. With a career spanning continents and genres, Ko has conducted professional and youth ensembles across Asia, North America, and Europe. Her repertoire includes symphonic masterworks, choral-orchestral collaborations, musicals, and innovative crossover productions.

Ko received her conducting degree in the United States, studying under Abraham Kaplan and Helmuth Rilling, before further refining her craft in Europe with Jorma Panula. Her early career featured guest appearances with the Kunming Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak State Philharmonic, and the Performing Arts Institute Festival Orchestra (USA). In 2009, she was invited by violinist Siqing Lü to conduct a concert tour in China, earning acclaim for her interpretation of Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto. Soon after, she was appointed Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Guangxi Symphony Orchestra in 2010.

Now best known for her visionary work in youth music education and community engagement, Ko has served since 2007 as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong (MYO)—one of the leading youth orchestras in Asia. Under her leadership, MYO has performed internationally in Austria, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, and has gained a strong digital presence with millions of views on YouTube, especially through performances that feature thematic programming, theatrical elements, and innovative formats.

Ko’s approach to programming reflects her belief that symphonic music should be accessible and relevant to modern audiences. She has produced flash mobs, multimedia concerts, and collaborations that fuse orchestral music with Cantopop, film scores, and musical theatre. Her 2014 flash mob at Pacific Place in Hong Kong marked a turning point in her artistic journey—showing her the power of bringing orchestral music directly into the community. These events are part of her mission to break down the perceived barriers between classical music and the general public.

Deeply committed to cultural outreach, Ko continues to pursue projects that connect symphonic music with the public, especially underrepresented communities. Her vision includes open-air concerts in Hong Kong’s New Territories, musicals that feature young performers, and immersive orchestral productions that combine music with lighting, visuals, and dramatic narrative.

Whether on the podium or behind the scenes as an educator and creator, Synthia Ko remains dedicated to cultivating a love for orchestral music that transcends age, background, and tradition.