Huifang Chen
A dynamic artist from Taiwan and long-time U.S. resident, Huifang Chen has been the Music Director of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony since 2008, and has been the Associate Conductor of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra since 2022. She has conducted in the concert venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and Arsht Center in Miami and has collaborated with artists such as pianists Meng-Chieh Liu, Min Kwon, cellist Tommy Mesa, singer Elizabeth Caballero, bass trombonist Darrin Milling, Violinist Glenn Basham, Chloe Chua, Robert Davidovici, and Amernet String Quartet among others. Huifang studied conducting with Thomas Sleeper at the University of Miami, she has also worked with Marin Alsop, John Farrer and Jorge Mester.
Her previous posts including Interim Director of Orchestra at the Florida International University (2009-2010), Orchestra Director at the Stoneman Douglas High School (2006-2008) and Associate Conductor of Florida Youth Orchestra (2005-2008). She has conducted orchestra such as Academy of St. Martin in the Field, Atlanta Academy Festival Orchestra, Alhambra Orchestra, Broward Symphony, Four County Honors Orchestra, Dreyfoos School for the Arts Symphony Orchestra and Frost Symphony Orchestra of University of Miami among others. In summer 2025, she will be guest conducting at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee.
Equally capable as a violin soloist, Ms. Chen has appeared with orchestras around the world, including the Taipei Symphony Orchestra in her native country, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic, Dreyfoos Philharmonic Orchestra in West Palm Beach, Broward Symphony and South Florida Symphony Orchestra, among other ensembles. Huifang is currently the concertmaster of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where her mentor was violin legend Jascha Brodsky (1907 - 1997). Winner of the 1999 Young Concert Artist award from the National Concert Hall of Taipei, Taiwan, Huifang also won the 2003 Concerto Competition at the University of Miami where she received a Master’s degree in 2005. Huifang Chen was a member of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra from 1994 until its disbandment in 2003.