Home sweet home: Ooi plating a dish at her family home in Green Lane, Penang. GEORGE TOWN: For the first time in 16 years, the country’s first female orchestra conductor will get to celebrate Chinese New Year at her hometown here. Living with her family since February last year, this is also the longest period Datuk Seri Ooi Chean See has spent in Penang since she left to study music in Germany 40 years ago. The Bonn-based conductor has been stranded here since the movement control order was first enforced on March 18 last year. But she sees her predicament as a blessing in disguise.