Recognized by the Denton-Record Chronicle as one of “2012’s Most Fascinating People,” the career of conductor Jason Lim is on the rise. Lim was born in Penang, Malaysia and began his formal training in viola performance when he won a scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Alice Waten. He commenced his studies at the Canberra (Australia) School of Music, and completed his bachelor’s degree with honors at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. Jason received his Masters degree in orchestral conducting from the University of NorthTexas.

It was in Canberra that he began his conducting studies: first as an apprentice with the Canberra Youth Orchestra, and later as an Assistant Conductor with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic Orchestra in Sydney, a position that was awarded in conjunction with winning first prize in the New South Wales Ministry of Arts Conducting Prize. Most recently, Mr. Lim has been of awards from the American Prize Competition: the 2011 the Young Conductor Citation Award, second prize in the 2015 American Prize Conducting Competition and most recently, wining 1st Prize in the 2016-2017 American Prize Competition for Professional Conductors. In addition Jason also received the Ernst Bacon Memorial Prize for excellence in performance of American Music. In June 2013, Jason made his European conducting debut conducting the Academic State Concert Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in Kiev and appeared as guest conductor with the Zabrze Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014 and has appeared as guest conductor in Abilene, South Carolina, California, Pennsylvania, New York Sate, Georgia and Texas.

A champion of new music, Jason has conducted at conventions including SEAMUS Y2K (the acousma tex conference) and the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2000, he was a guest conductor with the Composer’s Forum Orchestra which he conducted world premiers of aspiring young composers. In 2012 Jason commissioned the world premiere of BREATH by Brad Robin. During his tenure as Music Director of the NOVA Ensemble, Jason led the group in its first commercial recording in 2000 on the “Equilibrum” label. Jason conducted the world premier performance of Brian Bavelander’s Distant Visions for orchestra and prerecorded tape. In 2015 Jason produced the North Texas Premiere of the ballet and play, the Soldier's Tale by Stravinsky with Amiti Perry, choreographer and stage director and has collaborated with notable choreographer, Bill Evans.

In 2010, Jason was among eight conductors selected to participate at the Ithaca International Conducting Workshop under the tutelage of Gustav Meier. Jason has also attended the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Maine. Jason remains an active performing violist, having performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony of Malaysia, Australian National Opera Orchestra and Texas Baroque Ensemble. Jason was also a member of the University of North Texas Graduate String Quartet.

Recently appointed as the artistic and program director of the McKinney Summer Music Intensives, Jason is passionate about education and has dedicated his talents working with young musicians, and conducting orchestra workshops in Asia and the United States. He served as conductor and educator for 10 years with the Abilene Summer Music Festival in conjunction with Hardin Simmons University, the Pan American Music Festival in Edinburgh Texas, as well as the Penang State Orchestra Workshop in Penang, Malaysia. Jason’s mentors include distinguished conductors: John Farrer, Nicholas Braithwaite, Henryk Pisarek and Max McBride.

Currently, Jason is the Artistic Director and conductor of the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, a group he led winning second prize in the Professional Orchestra division of the American Prize Competition in 2014. Thanks to Jason’s commitment to education, the group pioneered a unique mentorship program that gives talented high school students the opportunity to perform side-by-side with professional musicians.

"Jason Lim, winner of The American Prize in Conducting, professional division, 2017,is an artist of considerable gifts."

"Jason Lim consistently scores very highly in these competitions, and with good reason. He is always'in the music', calm and clear, achieving tight ensemble and spirited performances, (often) in unusual repertoire."

"...serious and accomplished music-making... Jason makes a strong case for the work, which is always quite compelling, tight and well played. Balances, intonation, ensemble are very fine. The conductor is always focused on the long line of the music...his podium modesty and lack of "nonsense" is much of the reason that his players are confident and comfortably able to give their best."

"...well crafted performances featuring fine musicians, spirited and energetic like their conductor, whose clear beating, good intentions, excellent preparation and admirable execution is always on view."

"...lovingly shaped phrases... There is a gracious, un-pressrued sound from the ensemble that the conductor's calm demeanor helps to create, never harsh in the fortes, which are well balanced. The conductor appears to be singing the music inside himself virtually at all times, helping to insure tight ensemble with good posture, plenty of eye contact and welcoming facial expression."

"...this is exciting playing, full of the energy of music being made in the moment..."

"...Always a pleasure to encounter Maestro Lim, who has built his ensemble over a number of seasons into a fine orchestra, spirited and often quite subtle in its performances."

"Here is a conductor with many excellent skills; he is building ^very good orchestra and should be encouraged to continue the path he has taken..."

"Conductor Jason Lim exhibits fine technique and clear intentions, which help to generate spirited and energetic performances from the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra."
- As Chief Judge of The American Prize national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts, I am pleased to provide several quotes taken directly from written adjudications of conductor Jason Lim, written over a number of seasons. - David Katz-chief judge, The American Prize

"He exemplified the perfect combination of expressiveness and precision and breaking new ground in his respective fields and bringing a breath of fresh air to his community"
-Classical Music Community of North Texas

"fine technique, clear intentions, spirited and energetic performances..."
-2013 American Prize,2011 American Prize Conducting Competition

"Always in the music, calm and clear, achieving tight ensemble and spirited performances in unusual repertoire."
-2014 American Prize