About

Alex Wen is a New York–based conductor whose work encompasses symphonic, operatic, and contemporary music. He serves as Artistic Director of the Jackson Heights Orchestra, where he has led the ensemble through a period of artistic growth by expanding its repertoire, strengthening its membership, and continuing its tradition of commissioning new works. His programming pairs cornerstone works of the orchestral repertoire with newly commissioned music, contemporary composers, and lesser-known works, placing familiar repertoire in fresh artistic contexts.

A frequent guest conductor, Wen has appeared with the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, Litha Symphony Orchestra, Sound Symphony Orchestra, and the Rendez-Vous Orchestra. In 2026, he conducted Arknights Concert as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival and returns to the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra during its 2026–27 season. Earlier conducting appointments included assistant and cover conducting positions with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony and Massapequa Philharmonic.

In recent seasons, Wen has led multiple world premieres and commissioned works while continuing to explore the orchestral canon. His work with living composers includes collaborations through the Jackson Heights Orchestra as well as appearances with PinkNoise Ensemble, Rhymes With Opera, and Fresh Squeezed Opera, including the New York premieres of Eric Moe’s Artwork of the Future and Huang Ruo’s Bound.

Opera has also been an important part of Wen’s artistic background. As Principal Conductor of Golden Rose Opera, he led productions of La Bohème, Carmen, Suor Angelica, Cavalleria Rusticana, and Madama Butterfly, and later returned to Queens College to conduct a production of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. His experience working with singers continues to inform his work across the orchestral repertoire.

Before focusing on conducting, Wen maintained an active career as a violist, performing, recording, and teaching throughout Southern California. He holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, where he studied with Maurice Peress, and a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Azusa Pacific University. He was selected to participate in the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Conductors Workshop, working with Cristian Măcelaru and Octavio Más-Arocas.

Wen lives in New York City and, away from the podium, is an avid distance runner who will complete his seventh marathon in 2026.