Jason Lai

Jason Lai is the Principal Conductor at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra of the Swan, and former Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Hong Kong Sinfonietta. He is a prominent figure in Singapore’s musical life and also active internationally, conducting and giving masterclasses. He has guest conducted the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Podlasie Opera Philharmonic (Poland), Macao Orchestra and the Osaka Symphony.  

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Intent on broadening the appeal of classical music, Lai is also building a unique reputation as a communicator with mass appeal through his television appearances in both the UK and Asia. He frequently appears on BBC television as a judge in both the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and the classical talent show Classical Star. Other BBC television appearances include How a Choir Works, The Culture Show and Clash. 

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While Lai’s roots lie in Hong Kong, he was born in the UK and studied both cello and composition at Oxford University before continuing his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where he was awarded a Fellowship in Conducting. After winning the BBC Young Conductors Workshop in 2002, he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic with which he made his BBC Proms debut in 2003.