Biography

Annie Chen is a Taiwanese-born violinist and dedicated educator whose career is distinguished by a passion for chamber music, orchestral performance, and teaching. She began studying piano at the age of six and violin at the age of eight in Taiwan before moving to the United States at fourteen to pursue her musical education at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston.

Annie has participated in numerous prestigious summer music festivals, including the Heifetz International Music Institute, the Music Academy of the West, where she won the 2011 Concerto Competition, the Tanglewood Music Center, and the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum University Salzburg in 2018, where she studied with renowned violinist Pierre Amoyal. She performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival and is an active chamber musician in Houston. She is also a performer and curator with Third Space Music, collaborating with fellow artists to create innovative chamber music experiences that engage, inspire, and connect with diverse audiences.

Earlier in her career, Annie toured with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, was a longtime member of Discovery Ensemble, an organization dedicated to bringing classical music to underserved communities, and appeared as a featured soloist with the Dorchester Symphony Orchestra.

Annie earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory and her Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she was awarded the prestigious Shepherd School Distinguished Fellowship in Violin. Her principal teachers have included Lynn Chang, James Buswell, Kathleen Winkler, and Pierre Amoyal.

A passionate educator, Annie maintains an active private violin studio, where she enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. She is committed to helping each student build a strong technical foundation while nurturing creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for music.

Outside of music, Annie enjoys caring for her growing collection of houseplants and embracing the outdoors during the cooler months from fall through spring. Whether camping, exploring nature, or simply spending quality time with her son, Sebastian, she treasures opportunities to slow down, recharge, and create lasting memories with her family.