Kayoko Dan

Kayoko Dan is an Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestral Studies at Sam Houston State University's School of Music. She also serves as Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera since 2011, following roles as Assistant Conductor of the Phoenix Symphony and Music Director of Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras.

• Karajan Fellowship for Young Conductors
• David Effron Conducting Fellowship at Chautauqua Institute
• Graduate Teaching Excellence Award (Arizona State University)

Her research focuses on orchestral conducting, music education, and youth orchestras. As an advocate for music education, she frequently works with universities, high schools, and regional/youth orchestras, including teaching homeless children at Arizona's Thomas J. Pappas School as an ArtsBridge Scholar.

Dr. Dan earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Texas, a Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Arizona State University. She studied under notable mentors like Kurt Masur, Leonard Slatkin, and Jorma Panula, and has participated in prestigious workshops including the Kurt Masur Conducting Seminar and National Conducting Institute.