ARTISTS | Asian Youth Orchestra

CONDUCTORS

Richard Pontzious
Founder & Artistic Director

Richard Pontzious founded the Hong Kong-based Asian Youth Orchestra in 1987 with the distinguished violinist, conductor and humanitarian Yehudi Menuhin.

The idea for the creation of an orchestra that would unite the region and celebrate the talents of East Asia’s brightest young musicians came as the result of Mr. Pontzious’ work as conductor, writer, teacher and mentor in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. Critics have called AYO “astonishing” and the “finest among youth orchestras around the world.” In 2010 the Orchestra was awarded Japan’s Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists, a global arts prize.

Richard Pontzious

Joseph Bastian
Principal Conductor

The Asian Youth Orchestra warmly welcomes as principal conductor one of the most exciting talents of the younger generation, French-Swiss conductor Joseph Bastian.

The former bass trombonist of the Symphonie Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Bastian burst into the international spotlight in February 2016, when he stepped in at the last moment to conduct the orchestra in three subscription concerts -- replacing an indisposed Robin Ticciati - with the blessing of his Chief Conductor and conducting mentor, Mariss Jansons.

Joseph Bastian

John Axelrod

Guest Conductor

Maestro John Axelrod is a celebrated international conductor whose dynamic interpretations, intellectual curiosity, and charismatic energy have distinguished his career for nearly three decades. As he approaches his 60th birthday and 30th career anniversary in 2026, he is celebrated for his profound musical depth and innovative programming across a vast repertoire, from core classics to contemporary and crossover works.

His leadership is recognized through prestigious titled positions. Since 2022, he has served as Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and President of the Jury of the Bucharest Conducting Academy. In 2024, he was appointed Esteemed Guest Professor of the Tokyo College of Music. His previous roles include Artistic and Musical Director of the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla (2014-2020), Principal Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra (2004-2009), and Music Director of l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (2009-2013), among others.

John Axelrod

Sophie Mok
Assistant Conductor

Sophie Mok is currently the Assistant Conductor of the Frost Symphony Orchestra. Described as "the most supple and prepared for the spontaneous happening", Mok won the 2nd prize at the International Conductor’s Competition at the 2019 Deutsches Musikfest. In 2022, she was selected to participate in Le Domain Forget Conducting Academy to work with maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and a finalist chosen among 300 candidates in maestro Riccardo Muti’s Italian Opera Academy with the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini.

Sophie Mok