Dr. Celina Chin: Symphony of Life

While some seek stability and work-life balance, others thrive by stepping beyond their comfort zones in pursuit of new challenges. Dr. Celina Chin, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, undoubtedly belongs to the latter.

In 1989, Celina made a bold career pivot: leaving her position as an Immigration Officer to enter the arts and culture sector, eventually joining the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Over nearly three decades, she has devoted herself to promoting Chinese music, bringing this ancient art form into local communities while leading the orchestra onto the international stage as one of Hong Kong's cultural icons.

Sparked by Curiosity

Celina's transition into the arts began with a newspaper advertisement for a "Cultural Manager" position. Intrigued by the role, she applied and successfully joined the former Urban Services Department, leaving behind a career in the disciplined services. Her venture into the cultural world began at the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. "It felt like one big family," she recalls. "My supervisors encouraged creativity and helped me understand what it truly meant to be an arts administrator."

While civil servants could return to their original department within a year, Celina had found her true calling. She worked with the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Asian Arts Festival, and International Arts Carnival before joining the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as Programme Manager in 1996. When the orchestra became a non-profit organization in 2001, existing administrative staff returned to the government system, leaving the orchestra in need of a new executive leader. Celina was seconded into the role of Executive Director and was officially appointed to the position six months later, becoming its first Chief Executive.

Finding Balance

Though leaving the disciplined services meant giving up greater financial stability, personal growth and creative freedom meant more to Celina. Her earlier experiences had sharpened her communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure, qualities that helped her navigate the complexities of arts administration. She sees parallels between the two worlds: "In immigration, we focused on enforcing the law humanely without compromising its integrity. In running an orchestra, the challenge is creating structure for musicians while preserving space for creativity. It's about finding balance."

She believes the key to effective leadership in the arts lies in balancing rationality with emotional intelligence: "You need decisiveness, but also sensitivity to understand how musicians think and feel." The greatest reward is creating something meaningful alongside artists. "The more challenging something is, the more it stimulates creativity and allows you to realize your own value. As long as you enjoy the process, it becomes a joyful experience."

Bringing People Together

One of the most memorable moments in Celina's career came in 2003, when the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra organized the Hong Kong Drum Festival to lift the city's spirits. "The more challenging something is, the more it stimulates creativity and allows you to realize your own value. As long as you enjoy the process, it becomes a joyful experience." after the SARS outbreak. Expecting around 1,000 participants, they were overwhelmed when over 3,000 people gathered. The event was so successful that it has continued annually ever since, with many participants returning year after year.

Particularly meaningful was the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition, which welcomed participants from all walks of life, including rehabilitation groups: "Drumming helps individuals with physical disabilities delay muscle degeneration and improve coordination."

Under Celina's leadership, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has organized numerous large-scale festivals. Earlier this year, under the artistic direction of Yan Huichang, the International Sheng and Reeds Festival 2026 at Kai Tak Sports Park reimagined the traditional concert format and introduced the ancient sheng instrument to new audiences. In addition to its traditional repertoire, the orchestra commissioned composer Ng Cheukyin to create Thousand Reeds in Harmony, which blends the sheng with Western instruments. The marathon-style performance set the orchestra's fourth Guinness World Record.

Looking Forward

Celina is deeply committed to passing on Chinese musical heritage. During the recent Sheng Festival, she was touched to witness a retired musician bringing his grandson to experience the culture for the first time. To nurture future talent, the orchestra offers programs in performance, composition, and conducting, organizes the International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music, and provides platforms for young composers. As Chairperson of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association, she champions professional development for the next generation of arts administration, including training on the use of AI. The orchestra has also led teams to festivals worldwide, engaging in international exchange and learning from global arts management strategies.

Celina is proud of how far Chinese orchestral music has come and envisions the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra gaining even greater international recognition. "Under the leadership of Yan Huichang, we have internationally acclaimed conductors and musicians, outstanding concert seasons, and world-class commissioned works." International venues and festivals have even compared their standards to elite Western orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic. "I want people to know that the world's f i nest Chinese orchestra is right here in Hong Kong."

About Dr. Celina Chin

Dr. Celina Chin holds a Professional Doctorate from Middlesex University, a Master's degree in Strategic Management for Non-Profit Organizations, a Diploma for Company Directors, and a Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance. She also completed the Arts Administration programme at the University of California, Los Angeles. She joined the Hong Kong government in 1982 and transitioned into the arts sector in 1989. After working with various cultural organizations, she joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 1996 and was appointed Executive Director in 2001 following its corporatization. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in promoting Chinese music, driving instrument innovation, talent development, and organizing major festivals that have broken multiple Guinness World Records.

She currently serves as Chairperson of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association, member of the Advisory Committee of the School of Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, expert committee member of the School of Arts at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, as well as guest professor and lecturer at multiple arts administration programs.