@carolynkuan.conductor
“I don’t actually have to create chaos and joy—they’re already in the music!” That’s Carolyn Kuan, perched on the podium at the final dress rehearsal of SF Opera’s The Monkey King. Her baton hovers in the air, poised to channel an energy that is already vibrant, mischievous, and magnetic.
As the orchestra swells and the singers take flight, it’s clear that the magic is everywhere—in the soaring melodies, the vivid costumes, and in Carolyn herself, guiding, supporting, and reveling in it all. I’ve known Carolyn for nearly twenty years, and to watch her in action is to witness joy, discipline, and artistry converge. Our friendship began through the San Francisco Symphony’s Chinese New Year Concert and Imperial Dinner, which I co-founded and chaired. For six years, Carolyn conducted…
