YEL-LOW ASHEN
黄彦燊
Conductor | Composer | Pianist
Vocalist | Producer | Music Educator
Yel-low Ashen |
黄彦燊
Behind the Name
“Yel-low Ashen” embodies 黄彦燊 Yanshen HUANG’s cultural identity and artistic vision.
“Yel-low” is a creative transliteration of the surname “黄” (Huáng), preserving its Eastern pronunciation while deconstructing it into:
• Yell – A call to awaken the world, proclaiming the brilliance of Eastern civilization.
• Low – A deep cultural sedimentation, carrying the weight of history and artistic legacy.
Hidden within “Yel-low Ashen” is the code of his Chinese name:
• Y-A-N (Y from Yel-low, A and N from Ashen) represents “彦” (Yàn), symbolizing wisdom and virtue.
• S-H-E-N (the last three letters of Ashen) corresponds to “燊” (Shēn), meaning prosperity and brilliance.
About Yel-low Ashen
Yel-low Ashen is a renowned young conductor, composer, pianist, vocalist, and music educator with a deep passion for symphonic, choral, and Chinese music. He is committed to introducing and recommending the world’s greatest and most advanced symphonic works to Chinese communities with diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and artistic dialogue. At the same time, he is dedicated to promoting Chinese music internationally, expanding its influence on the global stage.
His conducting style is fiery, precise, and expressive, captivating audiences with the power and beauty of music.
Current Positions
• Artistic Director & Chief Conductor, Sydney Chinese Orchestra
• Artistic Director & Principal Conductor, Sydney Sinfonietta
• Artistic Director & Chief Conductor, Australian Yellow River Symphony Orchestra & Yellow River Choir
• Former Conductor of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Chinese Music Ensemble
Conducting Career
• Joined as a conductor in 2018, appointed Artistic Director in 2023.
• Conducted and arranged numerous Chinese music works, advancing Chinese music internationally.
• Led the orchestra in international music festivals and cultural exchange programs, elevating the presence of Chinese music in Australia.
• Experimented with the fusion of Western orchestral instruments and Chinese traditional instruments, creating unique sound textures.
• Has collaborated with the Yellow River Choir since 2016 and will officially assume the role of Artistic Director and Permanent Conductor in 2025.
• Conducted major choral-symphonic works, including “Yellow River Cantata,” “Carmina Burana,” and “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.”
• Expanded the choir’s repertoire, composing and arranging numerous choral works to align with international choral standards.
• Led the choir in performances across China, Australia, and other regions, including appearances at prestigious venues such as Musikverein (Golden Hall) in Vienna, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Sydney Opera House, Town Hall, etc.
• Committed to fostering young musicians of Chinese family backgrounds in symphonic music, introducing them to great works, providing opportunities to collaborate with professional musicians, and enabling them to perform on stage.
• Organized and curated symphonic projects for young musicians, encouraging their exposure to and mastery of classical music. Such as Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s Symphony No.1 “Classical Symphony”, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Schubert’s Symphony No.5, and more.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Chinese Music Ensemble
Former Conductor (2018–2023)
• Conducted and led rehearsals for the Chinese Music Ensemble, instructed ensemble classes, and enhanced performance standards.
• Actively participated in cross-cultural music exchange projects between Chinese and Western music traditions.
• Premiered numerous new compositions by students from the Conservatorium.
Yel-low's
Composition
• Symphony No.1
• Good HAN Song
•《风月同天》 Fēng Yuè Tóng Tiān | The Same Moon, Different Lands (Symphonic Choral Work)
•《花好月圆狂想曲》 Huā Hǎo Yuè Yuán Kuángxiǎngqǔ | Rhapsody on Blossoms & Moonlight
• Fantasia on “Half-Moon Is Arising” (Electronic-Orchestral Fusion)
• Festival Overture
• 《闯将令》 Chuǎng Jiàng Lìng | The Theme of Pioneer
• Dance of the Golden Snake
• 《枫桥夜泊》 Fēng Qiáo Yè Bó | Maple Bridge at Night (Chamber Work)
• Chamber Arrangement “Pictures at an Exhibition”
• 《战马奔腾》 Zhàn Mǎ Bēn Téng | Galloping Warhorses – Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Erhu
• 《梁山泊与祝英台》 Liáng Shānbó Yǔ Zhù Yīngtái | Butterfly Lovers – Double Concerto for Violin and Erhu
• 《狼图腾》 Láng Túténg | Wolf Totem – Concerto for Bass Morin Khuur and Double Bass with Orchestra
• 《大宅门幻想》 Dà Zhái Mén Huànxiǎng | The Grand Mansion Gate Fantasia – Concerto for Suona, Jinghu, and Orchestra
• 《打虎上山》 Dǎ Hǔ Shàng Shān | Tiger Hunting in the Mountains – Concerto for Suona and Orchestra
• 《百鸟朝凤》 Bǎi Niǎo Cháo Fèng | Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix – Concerto for Suona and Chinese-Western Orchestra
• 《秦腔主题随想曲》 Qínqiāng Zhǔtí Suíxiǎngqǔ | Qinqiang Theme Rhapsody – Concerto for Erhu and Chinese-Western Orchestra
• 《虚空》 Xūkōng | VOID – Piano & Chamber Music Collection
• Negative-Canon Variation in D-flat (String Quartet)
Choral Works
• 《民风故事书》 Mínfēng Gùshìshū | Folk Stories in Song – Choral Collection
• 《绒花》 Róng Huā | Velvet Flower
• Krorän
Academic
Studied orchestral, opera, and choral conducting under Dr. Stephen Mould and Maestro Eduardo Díazmuñoz, a student of Leonard Bernstein.
Studied conducting, piano, and vocal performance, developing a deep foundation in both Western classical and Chinese music traditions.