A native of Tennessee, pianist Melvin Chen is recognized as an important young artist, having received acclaim for performances throughout the United States and abroad. As a soloist and chamber musician Mr. Chen has performed at major venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Weill Recital Hall, the Frick Collection, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, in addition to other appearances throughout the country, Canada and Asia.

In recent years Mr. Chen’s concerts included his New York debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, performing Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, solo recitals in Korea, and Taiwan, and other solo and chamber music performances throughout the United States. Highlights of last season include a second solo recital at Weill Recital Hall, lecture/recitals on Bach’s Goldberg Variations, a recording of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, and performances with the American Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Chen completed a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University, and also holds a double master’s degree from the Juilliard School in piano and violin, where he studied with Seymour Lipkin and Glenn Dicterow, respectively. At Juilliard, he was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Education Jacob Javits Fellowship, as well as the William Petschek Piano Scholarship and the Ruth D. Rosenman Memorial Scholarship. Previously, he attended Yale University, receiving a B.S. in chemistry and physics. Upon graduation, he was awarded the New Prize by the fellows of Jonathan Edwards College. During his tenure at Yale, he studied with Boris Berman, Paul Kantor, and Ida Kavafian.

Mr. Chen is the associate director of the newly created Bard College Conservatory of Music and also serves on the piano faculty of the Yale School of Music.


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A native of Tennessee, pianist Melvin Chen is recognized as an important young artist, having received acclaim for performances throughout the United States and abroad. As a soloist and chamber musician Mr. Chen has performed at major venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Weill Recital Hall, the Frick Collection, the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, in addition to other appearances throughout the country, Canada and Asia . . . full bio