Princeton Festival director steps down

Richard Tang Yuk, the executive and artistic director of the Princeton Festival, is leaving the organization after 16 years of service. He is one of the founders of the nonprofit that hosts an annual summer festival of the performing arts.

“After 16 wonderful years with the Princeton Festival, I am excited to pass the reins to its next leaders and watch the Festival continue to thrive and move to the next level,” Tang Yuk said. “I will forever cherish the great experiences I enjoyed at the Festival, which is so dear to my heart. They would not have been possible without the support and commitment of our board of trustees.”

Under Tang Yuk’s leadership, the Princeton Festival grew from two events and four performances in 2004 to 22 performances of eight events, plus 20 free lectures and workshops, in 2019. Offerings included opera, musicals, Baroque music, jazz, dance, and multi-media events. This past June, when the pandemic made live performance impossible, the Princeton Festival launched “Virtually Yours,” an online season that featured 50 events.

“Everyone associated with the Princeton Festival is sorry to see Richard leave,” said Benedikt von Schröder, Chair of the Princeton Festival Board of Trustees. “He was instrumental in building the Festival into a major presence in the cultural life of our community and our region. We hope to honor him with a special celebration in the near future.”

Gregory Jon Geehern, who has been the Festival’s associate conductor and assistant to the artistic director, has been appointed acting artistic director. Geehern, a conductor, pianist, singer, and scholar, has prepared and led many Festival choruses.