Livia Gho Conducts with Heart and Harmony in the American Southwest
- Unique Wisdom
- May 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
In Phoenix, Arizona, Livia Gho has forged an inspiring musical path as a conductor and educator, blending artistic excellence with quiet determination. Her story charts a trail of resilience, courage, and deep joy—from the first moment she shaped sound with her hands in secondary school, to directing orchestras and choirs in a landscape far from home. Olivia’s journey reminds us that passion, when met with perseverance, becomes a powerful instrument for both personal fulfillment and social change.
I moved abroad to pursue my studies in music and am currently living in Phoenix, Arizona, I work as Artistic Director of the Women's Orchestra of Arizona, Music Director at a local church and maintain a piano and voice studio.
I am part of the AZ Singaporean group and have made many good Singaporean friends. We get together quite often and I enjoy cooking Singaporean dishes for my family.
Shaping Sound, Shaping Dreams through the Art of Conducting
I was my secondary school choir's accompanist and student conductor and got the chance to conduct the choir when our conductor fell ill.
I remember the feeling of shaping the sound with my hands and decided that conducting would be the instrument I would pursue.
I have been very blessed to have met many mentors that have helped guide me and supported me throughout my journey.
I enjoy every step of the process; from selecting repertoire, to score studying, rehearsing the orchestra and preparing the musicians so that they will be ready, and then performing the concert. The opportunity to work with musicians of such high calibre and be making music alongside them is something that brings me great joy.
Championing Representation and Resilience on Global Stages
Photo Credit: Livia Gho
Having courage and resilience have helped shape my experience as a musician and conductor as I am often pushed to be outside my comfort zone in order to grow.
When you are living overseas by yourself, you learn how to adapt to the environment and different culture around you.
There have been many times in my journey that I have faced rejections, especially as a woman of color in the field of conducting, which is dominated by Caucasian males. Society is not ready for women to be conductors of orchestras and boards of these organizations will often select what the community wants, which is a male conductor, even when the woman conductor is more qualified than her male counterpart.
Having the strength and courage to keep on fighting and finding different ways to get to your destination is important. Afterall, there is more than one road to Rome.
Pursuing Dreams with Courage, Mentorship, and a Self-Defined Vision of Success
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and pursue your dreams. You may not succeed immediately and when that happens, don't be afraid to try again.
Find mentors that can help guide you along the way and surround yourself with people who will help support you when you fall. Figure out your own definition of success - don't let society (or even your loved ones) determine or influence that definition.
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