Duo Shen is Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and May Festival, where he assists Music Director Cristian Măcelaru and collaborates across the organizations’ artistic, educational, and community initiatives.
Recognized for his dynamic podium presence and commitment to audience engagement, Shen previously served as Associate Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Music Director of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra. During his three seasons in Grand Rapids, he curated and conducted more than ninety performances encompassing subscription concerts, chamber orchestra programs, family and educational concerts, film productions, outdoor performances, and community engagement events. His 2024–25 season included a critically acclaimed subscription debut at DeVos Performance Hall with acclaimed double bassist Joseph Conyers.
A passionate advocate for making orchestral music accessible to all audiences, Shen has developed innovative educational and community-centered programs throughout his career. In Grand Rapids and Cincinnati, he has led sold-out family concerts, Young People’s Concerts, sensory-friendly performances, and community engagement initiatives designed to welcome new audiences into the concert hall. His educational programming has served more than 20,000 students annually and includes collaborations with schools, community organizations, and accessibility partners to create meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all backgrounds.
As a guest conductor, Shen has appeared with ensembles in the United States and Europe, including the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, New Symphony Orchestra of Bulgaria, and Pazardjik Symphony Orchestra. He has served as assistant, cover, and rehearsal conductor for numerous distinguished conductors, including JoAnn Falletta, Carlos Kalmar, David Robertson, Robert Spano, Nicholas McGegan, Ruth Reinhardt, and Marcelo Lehninger. He has also served as cover conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra.
Originally from Beijing, China, Shen is equally passionate about building cultural connections through music. His programming often explores the intersection of Eastern and Western traditions while championing both established masterworks and contemporary voices. As a violinist and conductor, he has been a strong advocate for living composers and interdisciplinary projects that broaden the reach of classical music.
Shen holds a Professional Studies Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance from the University of Maryland, and bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Delaware.
Updated June 2026
Short Bio (150 words)
Duo Shen is Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and May Festival. Previously, he served as Associate Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Music Director of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, where he curated and conducted more than ninety performances spanning subscription, educational, family, pops, and community concerts.
A passionate advocate for music education and community engagement, Shen has led sold-out family concerts, Young People's Concerts, sensory-friendly performances, and educational initiatives serving thousands of students. He has collaborated with artists including Joseph Conyers, Ben Rector, and Cody Fry.
Originally from Beijing, China, Shen holds conducting and performance degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Maryland, and the University of Delaware.
Updated June 2026