Sue On (she/her) is a dynamic conductor, accomplished violinist, and dedicated educator with extensive experience in music education and arts administration. She is currently serving as the Artistic Director of the Lakeland Youth Symphony and conductor of its Symphony Orchestra in addition to being the Artistic Director and conductor of the Rowan Youth Orchestra and the Rowan Youth String Orchestra at Rowan University’s Community Music School. Sue is the conductor of the Repertory Orchestra with the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra (NJSYO), an El Sistema program, where she has the privilege of working with coaches who are members of the esteemed New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

 

In 2024, Sue made history by being the first woman of Asian descent to conduct at Mechanics Hall alongside the Worcester Youth Orchestras during their Four Orchestras Festival in Worcester, Mass. Having studied conducting under the tutelage of the late Maestro Vincent La Selva, founder of the New York Grand Opera and esteemed professor at Juilliard, Sue brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her conducting endeavors. Sue is frequently sought after as a guest conductor and clinician which includes engagements conducting the Philadelphia Civic Symphony, North and South Jersey Region and All-State Orchestras, and providing professional development seminars for music educators.

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Sue’s international experience includes work in the Middle East, where she partnered with NGOs in Amman, Jordan to bring music education to displaced children in refugee camps. Her collaborations include initiatives with Action for Hope, Haya Cultural Center, Jordan’s National Conservatory of Music, JM Jordan Youth Orchestra, Yarmouk University, and Jordan University. She also served as a guest teaching artist at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where she conducted the Palestinian Youth Orchestra. Whether in underserved schools, refugee camps, or international conservatories, Sue is committed to creating meaningful, high-quality musical opportunities for children of all backgrounds.

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Looking ahead, Sue is preparing for a new humanitarian project that will bring music education to an active war zone and a remote jungle village in Southeast Asia. These efforts reflect her belief in music as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and transformation—even in the most challenging circumstances. From cities to isolated regions, Sue’s work continues to affirm the role of music in restoring dignity, building resilience, and offering hope to young people around the world.

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Committed to the advancement of music education and the orchestral community, Sue actively participates in various professional organizations. She serves as a board member of the NJ Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and recently joined the advisory board for the Denville Arts Council. Additionally, Sue is affiliated with esteemed organizations such as the League of American Orchestras, NAfME, NJMEA, Suzuki Association of America, International Society for Music Education (ISME), and a member of Sphinx.