Naomi Woo

Woo was born in Newfoundland and raised in North Vancouver. She began playing piano at the age of five. She completed a degree in mathematics and philosophy at Yale University, followed by a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music.^[4] She earned a PhD from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar.^[5]

Woo has conducted orchestras across Canada including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. She has conducted opera productions for English Touring Opera and Opera Holland Park in the UK.

She conducted the TSO’s 2024 Lunar New Year concert, “Year of the Snake: A Lunar New Year Celebration.”^[6] She has advocated for diversity in classical music and participated in initiatives such as the Women in Musical Leadership program by Tapestry Opera^[7] and Orchestre Métropolitain’s conducting academy.

Her appointment to the Philadelphia Orchestra was covered by ABC News, highlighting her work breaking barriers in the field.^[2]

• 2022 – Canada Council’s Virginia Parker Prize^[8]
• 2019 – Named one of CBC's "Top 30 Classical Musicians Under 30"^[7]
• 2013 – Gates Cambridge Scholarship^[4]
• 2016 – Second place, Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition^[9]
• Recipient of the Hélène Roberge Prize for Canadian Music^[10]

Woo is the daughter of Canadian Senator Yuen Pau Woo and Patricia McAvity. She has three siblings, including the late Benjamin Woo. She has spoken publicly about representation and identity in classical music.^[11]