Amanda Forsyth Cello

One of the most exciting conductors of the younger generation and already widely admired for her unique combination of “drama and tenderness, power and delicacy” (Hereford Times), Elim Chan serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra beginning this season, and has recently been appointed Chief Conductor Designate of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

Highlights of her 2018–2019 season include her debuts with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Sydney Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie.

In 2012, Chan participated in the Conductors Program at the NAC Summer Music Institute, where she worked with Pinchas Zukerman and led the NAC Orchestra as part of the final concert. This evening’s concert marks her first time conducting the NAC Orchestra in a main series concert.

Born in Hong Kong, Elim Chan became the first female winner of the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition in 2014. As a result of this achievement, she held the position of Assistant Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2015–2016 and was appointed to the Dudamel Fellowship program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2016–2017.

Canadian JUNO Award-winning Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America's most dynamic cellists. Describing a recent performance, California’s Ventura County Star raves “In Forsyth’s hands, it was sheer magic.” She has achieved her international reputation as a soloist and chamber musician, and was Principal Cellist of the NAC Orchestra from 1999 to 2015. Her intense richness of tone, remarkable technique and exceptional musicality combine to enthrall audiences and critics alike.

Forsyth has appeared numerous times on tour and in St. Petersburg with the Mariinsky Orchestra, and, in 2014, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Highlights from her 2018–2019 season include her debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and, as cellist of the Zukerman Trio, engagements with Chamber Music Sedona, Music Institute of Chicago and Savannah Music Festival. 

Amanda Forsyth’s most recent recording features Brahms’s Double Concerto with Pinchas Zukerman and the NAC Orchestra, released by Analekta Records.

Born in South Africa, she moved to Canada as a child and began playing cello at age three. She studied with William Pleeth in London, and Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School. She performs on a rare 1699 Italian cello by Carlo Giuseppe Testore.

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