Happy Birthday, VC Artist Ray Chen!
The Taiwanese-Australian violinist is celebrating his 34th birthday today
Hailing originally from Taiwan, Chen grew up in Brisbane, Australia, where he made his solo debut with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of eight. Following early study with Peter Zhang at the Sydney Conservatorium, Chen progressed to the Curtis Institute, where he studied with Aaron Rosand.
Chen won First Prize at the senior division of the Yehudi Menuhin Competition in 2008 and followed this with a win at the 2009 Queen Elisabeth Competition.
He has appeared with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Munich Philharmonic, Filarmonica della Scala, Orchestra Nazionale della Santa Cecilia, Los Angeles Philharmonic, SWR Symphony, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Berlin Radio Symphony, and Bavarian Radio Chamber Orchestra.
Alongside live audiences, Chen has fostered a global digital audience through his online presence. His videos invite audiences into the lesser-known aspects of being an international soloist, and he has reached millions of people through these channels — including many who may not ever have found themselves in a traditional concert hall otherwise.
Ray Chen plays on the "Dolphin" Stradivarius of 1714, which is on loan to him from Japan's Nippon Foundation. The instrument was previously owned by Jascha Heifetz.
february 2025
march 2025