Chew Hee-chiat is currently the Assistant Conductor of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Chew received higher education in the United States in the 1990s. As a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a double bachelor’s degree in cello performance and computer science, he carried on his study in the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of Dr Donald Portnoy, and graduated with Master of Music in orchestral conducting in 1996. Before he joined the HKCO, Chew has been the Music Director of Professional Cultural Center Orchestra (PCCO) of Malaysia since 1996.

Chew’s compositions are greatly influenced by his Southeast Asian cultural heritage. This style has reflected on his original works, which include Orchestra Suite No.1, Orchestra Suite No.2 that won him the second runner-up prize of the International Competition for Chinese Orchestral Composition 2000 organized by HKCO, The Third which won him the Outstanding Composition Award in Chinese Music Competition 2002 organized by the Council for Cultural Affairs in Taiwan, Fantasy Dance (premiere in Hong Kong), Dizi and Small Orchestra Tradition? (premiere in Singapore), The Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra.