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We’re excited to see women taking the lead on the podiumÌýand in the director’s chair. With that in mind, we’ve asked some of our master’sÌýstudents in conducting aÌýfew questions about whoÌýthey are, and what they do.ÌýÌý

Join us over the next few weeks and get to know these formidable talents as they build their careers and shape our musical landscape.ÌýÌý

Kelly Lin (BMus'18, MMus'20, MMus'22)Ìýis a Chinese-Canadian conductor and pianist who enjoys an active career performing internationally throughout North America and Asia. She holds a bachelor's and master’s degree in piano performance from the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. As the recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation – Christa and Franz-Paul Decker Fellowship in Conducting, Kelly is currently in her first year of master's degree in conducting at the Schulich School of Music, where her mentors include Alexis Hauser and Guillaume Bourgogne. She has also studied conducting in Hungary and the United States, under the mentorship of Giuseppe Montesano and Kirk Trevor.Ìý

Kelly’s master’s recitalÌýleadingÌýmembers ofÌýthe McGill Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s SymphonyÌýNo. 2Ìýwill beÌýwebcast live from Pollack HallÌýonÌýThursday, March 11 at 7:30 pmÌýÌý

Is there a moment that brought you to now — one that changed your course or confirmed it?Ìý
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It is probably not really a specific moment, but as a person with a reserved nature, I feel like I am most comfortable with myself when I am performing as a conductor. It is a kind of escape for me, the podium is a place where I can be an extension of myself, and this is what has brought meÌýtoÌýnow.Ìý

What do you see as the role and responsibility of a conductor/director?ÌýÌýÌý

Bringing people together and creating music as a unity. As solitary people, we have limited capacity, but through collaboration, WE can achieve something that is bigger than ourselves.Ìý

What’s the toughest thing about conducting? What’s the easiest or most fun?ÌýÌý

The rehearsal is the hardest part, especially when it comes to trying to explain a musical idea with human language.ÌýIt can be very frustrating sometimes. However, working with other musiciansÌýalways inspires me. We are all living human beings, and there is always action-reaction happening during music making. It feels like we are taking each other to new places where we haven't been before.Ìý

What advice would you give to your starting-at-university self?ÌýÌýÌý

Find your passion and protect it.Ìý

What was the most surprising thing you learned during your degree?ÌýÌýÌý

I am the type of person who always likes toÌýnotÌýbe in the spotlight. But I realized that going out of your comfort zone can be a beneficial and fulfilling process. One example would be standing in front of an orchestra.ÌýBeing focused on thatÌýone passionÌýis whatÌýgives me the courage to overcome any obstacle in order to reach my goal.Ìý

Tell me a little about your upcoming Master’s recital — what makes you excited about it?Ìý

I will be performing Beethoven's Symphony No.Ìý2 with my dear MGSO musicians. It has been almost a year since the pandemic happened, and now we finallyÌýget a chance to perform music together as a large ensemble. This opportunity is indeed very precious for all of us, and we are all doing everything we canÌýto deliver the best possibleÌýresult.Ìý

If you had a mantra/philosophy/phrase that sums up where you are now, what would it be?ÌýÌýÌý

You only fail when you stop trying.Ìý

Dream piece to conduct/direct?ÌýÌýÌý

Mahler Symphony No.Ìý5.Ìý

Conductor(s)/leaders you admire?ÌýÌý

Xian ZhangÌýandÌýSimon Rattle.Ìý

What do you want to see/hear more of in your field?ÌýÌý

I would like to see more woman conductorsÌý—Ìýand there is no such aÌýtermÌýas "female conductors". We are all just "conductors";Ìýwe are also artists.Ìý

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Kelly’s master’s recitalÌýwill beÌýwebcast live from Pollack HallÌýonÌýThursday, March 11 at 7:30 pmÌýÌý
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Stay tuned...
Over the next weeks you'll get to meet Sawyer Craig,ÌýAngela Hemingway,ÌýNilaÌýRajagopal, and Melissa Tardif.

Read Leading the Way: Part 2Ìýof 5 — Angela Hemingway here
Read Leading the Way: Part 3 of 5 — Sawyer Craig here
Read Leading the Way: Part 4 of 5 — Melissa Tardif here
Read Leading the Way: Part 5 of 5 — Nila Rajagopal here
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