Brian Liao

Brian Liao (b. 7 July 1992) is a Taiwanese-French conductor based in Paris, building an international career with a broad repertoire and an active presence on the European and Asian stages. His artistic profile is characterized by stylistic versatility, a clear conducting concept, and sustained professional development through collaborations with leading orchestras and institutions.

He completed his musical education at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, where he obtained both a diploma and a Master’s degree in Conducting under the guidance of Maestro Bruno Weil. His training was further enriched by masterclasses with distinguished conductors such as Jorma Panula (Nordic Masterclass) and Bernard Haitink within the framework of the Lucerne Festival, as well as by a number of specialized academic programs and fellowships, including the Taipei Symphony Orchestra Fellowship and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Fellowship.

Among his early professional engagements were his work as chef assistant with the Orchestre National d'Île-de-France and his involvement with Counterpoint Ensemble in Taiwan. Liao is also associated with the National Taiwan Youth Symphony Orchestra Summer Festival, where he serves as Director.

As a conductor, he maintains an active international career, working with orchestras such as the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Russian State Capella Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Orquesta y Coro de RTVE (Spanish National Television Orchestra), Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz, Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonie, Orquesta Filarmónica de España, Orchestra della Magna Grecia, Filarmonica Oltenia Craiova, Oradea State Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfónica Provincial de Bahía Blanca and Szolnok Symphony Orchestra.

Since 2024, he has been a regular guest conductor of Counterpoint Ensemble, and since 2023 he has worked regularly with the National Taiwan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Among his recent engagements are guest appearances with the Orquesta y Coro de RTVE, the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra, and various European symphonic ensembles.

Liao has developed his conducting practice through a combination of permanent, temporary, and guest positions, including work as assistant conductor and member of various orchestral structures and academies, contributing to his diverse stylistic range and international perspective.

In recent years, he has received significant distinctions at international conducting competitions, including:
— First Prize at the International Conducting Competition “Lliria City of Music” (Spain, 2023)
— Second Prize at the International Brescia Giancarlo Facchinetti Conducting Competition (Italy, 2025)
— Second Prize at the Only Stage Conducting Competition (United Kingdom, 2022)
— Second Prize at the BMI International Bucharest Conducting Competition (Romania, 2019)
— Second Prize at the 7th Bucharest Conducting Competition (Romania, 2025)
— Third Prize at the Orchestra’s Conductor International Conducting Competition (Romania, 2025)
— Third Prize at the Lovro von Matačić International Conducting Competition (Croatia, 2023)
— Fourth Prize at the Rachmaninoff International Conducting Competition (Russia, 2025)
— Special Prize at the International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music (Hong Kong, 2017).