Livia Gho
As would Livia Gho's 'Hymn Tunes', a piece that reminded me of Charles Ives with a contemporary sensibility. I don't know if this is Gho's first big orchestra piece, but I think she hit the bull's-eye.' ~David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun
Born and raised in Singapore, Livia Gho is very much acquainted with the sounds from both the Eastern and Western world. A Classically - trained pianist, she is also proficient in the Chinese zither (Zheng) and voice. Livia is a graduate from the University of British Columbia, Canada, with a Bachelor’s of Music (Composition) and is currently pursuing her Masters in Choral Conducting at Indiana University (IU). She is the conductor of IU’s Symphonic Choir and Conductor’s Chorus, Assistant Conductor of NOTUS: Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and, Assistant Chorus Master for Indiana University Opera’s production of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute.’ Livia has conducted professional choirs such as the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, as well as the Essonance Chamber Choir that she created in Vancouver.
Livia is also an experienced orchestral conductor. She studied the Saito Method of conducting under Jin Zhang and Kenneth Hsieh, and conducted the Bacau Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania this past summer under the guidance of Maestro Ovidiu Balan and Robert Gutter. Livia was also selected to participate in the ‘Conductors Retreat at Medomak’ where she studied with Maestro Kenneth Kiesler. Livia has worked with world-renowned clinicians such as Jerry Blackstone, Jon Washburn, and is currently studying under Dominick DiOrio, Betsy Burleigh, Walter Huff, and Wolfgang Brendel.
Livia sings in IU’s top vocal jazz ensemble as well NOTUS: Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, a select group of twenty-four singers, and had the opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall and the acclaimed Rose Theatre at Jazz at Lincoln Center in April 2014. She has also furnished studio recordings for Hal Leonard Publishing; her recordings with IU Vocal Jazz Ensemble I has been named the Graduate College Winner in 2014 DownBeat magazine’s 37th Annual Student Music Awards.
Livia is sought after as a composer. She has written for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO). Her compositions have also been featured in various music festivals.