Accolades from Colleagues

“KuanFen is a joy to watch. She’s precise and clear as a conductor, and displays how much she loves music with every one of her performances. I know first hand, because she conducted my Cello Concerto and my Variations on a Theme of Shostakovich. Brilliant work. What a gem.”

John Biggs
Composer

KuanFen Liu, with her tireless energy, has established Ventura's Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, the orchestra that employs and promotes Ventura County's dedicated musicians, teachers and performers. Her decades old influence on the community cannot be overstated. Her programming is accessible as well as original, and her dynamic conducting inspires and builds. She also cultivates young talent through her youth concerts and competitions, grooming tomorrow's classical musicians for future audiences. KuanFen is essential to the well-being of Ventura's musical arts.”

Virginia Kron
Cellist
Chamber Musician

“I am proud to say that KuanFen Liu was my first hire in my role as founding Provost of CSU Channel Islands shortly after the University opened in 2001. The CICA partnership with CSUCI was modeled after an arrangement I developed at San Jose State in the 1990s whereby the community chorus served as a for-credit class for students of all ages through the Office of Extended Education. The CSUCI University Chorus is part of CICA through a similar partnership with the university.”

Ted Lucas
Former President of Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra
Professor Emeritus and Founding Provost of CSU Channel Islands (retired)

“I have been very delighted to be able to work alongside Dr. KuanFen Liu in CSUCI’s music department for more than ten years. I have seen how KuanFen’s passion for sharing her musical knowledge greatly inspires her students in the classroom.

KuanFen is a very excellent conductor and director of orchestras and choral groups. Her conducting style is artistic and energetic, and her informed direction guides the ensembles towards achieving their best musical performances. KuanFen has founded an orchestra, a chorus, and vital music education programs in the schools. All in all, she is a very remarkable, very impressive musician, educator, and artistic director.”

Steven Marsh
CSUCI Music Lecturer and Woodwind Instructor
Freelance Saxophonist
Woodwind Artist

“One of my greatest pleasures was working with my friend and colleague KuanFen Liu. I first met her as a fellow singer in choir, and was heartily impressed by her conducting skills when we were fortunate enough to perform a concert together. She shows grace, leadership, compassion, and vision while working in front of the orchestra and behind the scenes. I look forward to more collaborations.”

Kelley O’Connor
Mezzo Soprano

“Working with KuanFen Liu is a delight. She brings a joy to the podium that resonates through musicians to audiences.”

Michael Schasberger, D.M.A.
Baritone and Conductor
Artistic Director of Roanoque Baroque
Retired Westmont College Adams Chair of Music & Worship

“Dr. KuanFen Liu is an inspired leader of music in our community. Since 2013 when I first became a principal member of the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra (CHICO), which she directs, I have been impressed with the sensitivity, patience and high standards she expects from each member of the orchestra. I have also noticed that the level of the orchestra has gotten better every season, while at the same time the relevance of the orchestra in our community under Dr. KuanFen Liu's leadership has grown. Some of Dr Liu's priorities with CHICO each season include performing for many hundreds of 4th graders, having our annual Young Artist Competition, commissioning new works from other cultures, including Asia and in the coming months our orchestra will be recording a new work, written for us, about the local Channel Islands and the importance of our respect for how fragile nature is. I also know that Dr Liu will be taking her chorus, Channel Islands Choral Association to perform in Carnegie Hall, NYC. I have a lot of respect for Dr. KuanFen Liu and feel fortunate to play under her leadership in CHICO.”

David Singer
Clarinetist, Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra
Emeritus Principal Clarinetist of the Grammy Award winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, NYC
Emeritus Professor of Music, Montclair State University, NJ

“Kuan-Fen is one of the most dynamic and gifted conductors I know. She has great command from the choir and the orchestra, and is extremely musical.”

Julia Tai
Music Director of Missoula Symphony Orchestra & Chorale
Former Music Director of Philharmonia Northwest
Co-Artistic Director of the Seattle Modern Orchestra