Kai Chen

Kai Chen is an internationally renowned cellist who, prior to his immigration to the U.S. in 2001, was recognized as one of most distinguished cello solo artists in China. After graduating with honors from the Central Conservatory of China in 1987, Chen frequently appeared as a featured soloist with the China National Opera Theater Orchestra (CNOTO), the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. Chen performed as Principal Cellist with CNOTO, the Beijing New Millennium Chamber Ensemble, and the Beijing Principal’s Orchestra. Over the past sixteen years, Chen has focused on the development of his own music studio and youth orchestra, the Seattle Young Philharmonic (SYP). Since its inception, many of the studio’s students have gone on to win numerous awards and attend prestigious music institutions such as the Manhattan Music School and the New England Conservatory. Since 2015, Chenhas presented annual cello concert Moon Festival Melody series at Meydenbauer Theater to explore diverse cello music forms in Chinese and western context.

Kai Chen received 2019 GAP Award funding for a “Moon Festival Melody 2020: When Classical Meets Pop” Cello Concert to celebrate Chinese Moon Festival. Chen will explore instrumental arrangements for popular music in film, musical, and opera in Chinese or western context with violinist Yuan Fang, pianist Andrew Young, and Seattle Young Philharmonic.