Elim Chan and Daniel Harding Named Music Directors of San Francisco Symphony and LA Philharmonic

In a notable development, the San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic have selected new music directors: Elim Chan for San Francisco and Daniel Harding for Los Angeles. Chan, 39, will assume her role in September 2027, marking a historic milestone as the first female conductor in the 115-year history of the San Francisco Symphony. Harding, 51, boasts a wealth of European conducting experience, including nearly two decades with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Their appointments, revealed in spring 2026, caught many by surprise. Chan, a Smith College graduate from Hong Kong, is the first woman to win the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition. Harding, a British conductor mentored by Simon Rattle, has a longstanding connection with the LA Philharmonic, spanning 30 years. Both directors aim to enhance audience engagement and introduce unique sounds to their respective orchestras.