Ming Luke

music director

Bio

Ming Luke is an internationally acclaimed conductor recognized for his dynamic musical leadership in both symphonic and theatrical repertoire. Praised for his “energy, creativity and charisma” and described as “vibrant” and “spectacular,” Luke has conducted major orchestras and ballet companies worldwide, including the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow, performances at the Kennedy Center, Teatro Real in Madrid, and Sadler’s Wells in London, as well as over 150 performances with San Francisco Ballet at the War Memorial Opera House.

A deeply experienced ballet conductor, Luke has collaborated with leading choreographers including Mark Morris, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Cathy Marston, and Benjamin Millepied. He has guest conducted for Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, New York City Ballet Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet, among others. Renowned for his sensitivity to dancers and musical precision, he has been praised for performances of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, and major 20th-century works.

Luke currently serves as Music Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Nashville Ballet, and the Merced Symphony, and is Principal Guest Conductor for San Francisco Ballet. His career also spans opera and symphonic work, including broadcasts on PBS and recordings for film. Committed to arts education, he has designed and conducted more than 150 educational programs and has served on national arts grant panels.

Luke holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Music from Westminster Choir College.