Nancy Li, Founder and Music Director

Nancy Li is the founder and Music Director of Greater Bay Philharmonic Orchestra. Nancy has shown her interest and talent in music since she was young. She has studied in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan and other places, and has studied under many top musicians such as the famous Japanese conductor Mr. Norichika limori, and obtained a Master’s degree in Music from Hong Kong Baptist University.

Nancy’s courage and spirit of innovation are fully demonstrated in her music career. She is not only an excellent conductor, but also a stage art designer. Since founding her own orchestra, she has meticulously curated every concert, infusing each with a unique theme through her keen fashion sensibility. Embracing diverse cultural trends while pursuing continuous innovation, she creates performances that deliver distinctive audiovisual experiences while showcasing a vibrant fusion of Chinese and Western cultural elements.

From Nancy

Inheritance must be based on the present.

“Inheritance requires relevance. We blend technology, fashion, and pop culture into performances, making classical music resonate with new generations.

Classical music should not be confined to an ivory tower. Seeing orchestras disband during the pandemic convinced me that clinging solely to tradition risks losing even the most beautiful art. That’s why I founded GBPO to take a different approach.”

Incorporating cross-border elements to attract young audiences.

“Why do young people find classical music difficult? Because many performances only focus on technology, but forget to communicate with the audience. Classical music can be a part of your life. For example, the ‘European Town’ theme concert used music to take the audience to travel through 8 countries, combining music, dance and stage design to create an immersive experience.

Concerts should have plots and timelines like movies, rather than mechanically playing one song after another. An easy-to-approach viewing experience can attract more young audiences who are new to classical music.”