Known for his “clarity, confidence and passion” (Washington Post), Samuel Wong first came to international attention when he made his New York Philharmonic debut in December 1990, stepping in for the late Leonard Bernstein, and then, in January 1991, replacing Zubin Mehta. Over the years, he has led over 35 performances with the New York Philharmonic in New York City and in Washington D.C. In 1997, he conducted Thomas Hampson and Jerry Hadley and the chamber orchestra in a Teldec recording of Britten’s War Requiem. In July 2002, Gramophone Magazine picked Wong’s recording of Busoni Turandot as a top 10 disk calling it a “stylish release.” In May 2003, Gramophone Magazine again recognized Wong’s disk of Bright Sheng’s music as editor’s top 10 disk.

Frequently in demand as guest conductor Maestro Wong has appeared with the major orchestras of Toronto, Montreal, New York, Seattle, Houston, London (Royal Philharmonic), Brussels, Prague, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Japan Philharmonic), Singapore, Seoul (KBS), Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Spain (Valencia, Bilbao, Castille y Leon, Asturias), Italy (Milan, Palermo, Rome), Australia and New Zealand. He made his operatic debut conducting the Barber of Seville with the Canadian Opera, where he returned for nine performances of Madame Butterfly. In 1997, he led performances of Rigoletto in Beijing as part of the Hennessey Opera Series.

Active in new music, Mr. Wong has led significant first performances with many orchestras, including 15 premieres in Carnegie Hall. In 1991, he was featured in the PBS special “Carnegie at 100” and on “CBS Sunday Morning”. He collaborates with such distinguished artists as Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Maxim Vengerov, Gil Shaham, Ha-Na Chang, Lang Lang, Andre Watts, Peter Serkin, Marilyn Horne, Federica von Stade, and Deborah Voigt.

A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Wong began his dual career as assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic in 1990 and music director of the New York Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall. He writes and lectures on the power of music in healing the mind and body. His essay, “Musical Healing” was the cover article for Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin, in the summer 1999 issue.