A first-prize winner of the Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition and the European Union Conducting Competition, Cheng has led performances across Europe, Asia, and North America. Selected collaborators include I Cameristi della Scala, the Tongyeong International Music Festival Ensemble, Bochumer Symphoniker, Brandenburger Symphoniker, Kodály Philharmonic, Pannon Philharmonic, and the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra.

At Johns Creek, he plans seasons that place symphonic repertoire in direct relationship with the community. His first season as Music Director expanded education partnerships and included projects in music and healing, cross-cultural programming, and technology.

His projects include Classical K-pop, which places the music of BTS and other Korean artists in conversation with the classical canon; Minecraft × In C, joining Terry Riley’s minimalist work with interactive digital performance and music education; and collaborations with Justice Desk Africa centered on healing, empowerment, and international exchange.

As a composer and producer, Cheng creates interdisciplinary work with movement, technology, and visual art. His work has been presented by Berliner Festspiele, Singapore Art Museum, Steirischer Herbst, MMCA Seoul, TOTAL Museum Seoul, and Kaohsiung Performing Arts Center. Projects include Rhapsody in Yellow, Rumpelstiltskin, Symphony of Seven, Berlin, and RLC.

Cheng previously served as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of Klangkraft Orchester in Duisburg, Co-Artistic Director of the Hamptons Festival of Music, and Visiting Conductor-in-Residence at Georgia State University. His studies include Georgia State University, the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Universität der Künste Berlin, as well as masterclasses with Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, Kurt Masur, and Tugan Sokhiev.