BBC Orchestra’s the National Orchestra of Wales just appointed its first female guest conductor, Chinese-born Xian Zhang. Xian hopes that this will encourage other orchestras to appoint more female conductors in the industry, according to a report by China Daily.
"Someone has to make a start. In fact, in China, female conducting is not a new phenomenon. A lot of conducting teachers are female," Zhang said in an interview with China Daily.
With the growth of orchestral culture in China, appointing female conductors can help curb the demand for conductors.
Zhang also encourages conductors from other parts of the world to explore opportunities in China.
"It's important to explore the world but China is such a great market to be in to make music," she said.
Zhang left China to study conducting courses in the United States at age 25. While there, she was surprised to know that most of the things she learned in China weren't taught elsewhere.
"Education in China for conducting is at a very compelling level. I didn't realize at that point how much I had learned compared to other students in America. Students who are learning conducting in China now should realize how fortunate they are," Zhang said.
With her training in Beijing, Zhang was able to build her foundation and further her skills in the U.S. She had to come up with her own methods, however, and gained real orchestra experience by conducting twice a week.
After completing her education, Zhang went on to become the music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, she also fulfilled the same post, this time for the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verde in Italy. Her tight schedule and numerous commitments have placed her among a BBC Music poll's list of 150 busiest conductors in the world.