Biography

Taiwanese conductor Brian Liao, currently based in Paris, is rapidly establishing himself on the international podium through a combination of major competition successes, orchestral engagements, and artistic leadership.

In 2026, he was awarded First Prize at the Sofia International Conducting Competition, marking a significant milestone in his career and drawing international attention. He previously won First Prize at the Lliria “City of Music” International Conducting Competition (Spain, 2023), as well as Third Prize and the Orchestra Prize at the Lovro von Matačić International Conducting Competition (Croatia, 2023). His recent achievements also include the Silver Medal (Second Prize) at the Giancarlo Facchinetti Conducting Competition in Brescia (Italy, 2025) and Second Prize with Orchestra Prize at the Bucharest International Conducting Competition (Romania, 2025).

Brian Liao has conducted orchestras across Europe and Asia, including the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, RTVE Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne, Lucerne Festival Strings, Sofia Philharmonic, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Croatian Radio Symphony Orhcestra, Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga, Orchestre Victor Hugo, Orquesta Sinfònica Provincial de Bahía Blanca, Augsburg Philharmonic, Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic, Oradea Philharmonic, Craiova Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra della Magna Grecia, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, and the Taipei Symphony Orchestra.

From 2020 to 2021, he served as Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, following selection from over one hundred candidates, marking the beginning of his sustained professional activity in France.

In 2023, he was appointed Artistic Director of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra International Youth Orchestra, where he is responsible for the artistic planning and development of international projects. He also serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the Counterpoint Ensemble in Kaohsiung, following a series of acclaimed performances.

He has worked closely as assistant to conductors including Klaus Mäkelä (Orchestre de Paris), Susanna Mälkki (Helsinki Philharmonic), Vasily Sinaisky, and Case Scaglione, and was selected as one of six finalists for the London Philharmonic Orchestra Conducting Fellowship in 2023.

Brian Liao studied conducting at the University Mozarteum Salzburg with Bruno Weil and Alexander Drčar, supported by a full scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. He currently resides in Paris with his wife, violinist Hsin-Yu Shih, a tenured member of the Orchestre de Paris.

Updated, 2026 March