Conductor and Pianist Ming Luke is the Director and Conductor for Berkeley Symphony's award-winning Music Education Program, the Chorus Master for the Sacramento Opera, the Assistant Conductor for the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, and the General Director of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony.
Prior to his appointments in Northern California, he was a staff conductor for the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and helped prepare the choir for such conductors as Charles Dutoit, André Previn, Mariss Jansons, Michael Stern and Lucas Richman. He was also the Conductor and President of the Pittsburgh chapter of the non-profit organization Participate America and organized, planned and directed events in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in tribute of the one-year anniversary of September 11th. He served as Music Director for an Opera Scenes Program at Carnegie Mellon University and founded the Carnegie Mellon Chamber Orchestra at the university.
As a pianist, he has been described as “passionate” and “intelligently sensitive” and made his debut at Carnegie Hall’s recital hall at age 18. He has been in constant demand as a coach, collaborative pianist and concert pianist. He recently performed as piano soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and has performed as a keyboardist with many ensembles around Pittsburgh.
Recognized nationally for his work in music education, Luke has been involved with numerous youth ensembles during his career and was President of the largest collegiate Music Educators National Conference. He has experience with the major music education systems and methods including: Orff, Gordon, Dalcroze, Kodály and Suzuki. He has served as faculty for many high school and middle school summer workshops teaching piano, conducting and music theater.
Ming Luke holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Mr. Luke serves on the Grants and Cultural Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.
Photo credit: Barbara Stack
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