Stephen Chen

Growing up in the greater Richmond area of Virginia, Stephen S. Chen is currently studying under Dr. Yinfei Wang to pursue his pianist dream. Stephen started his piano journey at age five and a half with Ms. Ruta Smedina-Starke. Stephen won many competitions crossing international, state, and district levels. He was placed 1st in the V International Chopin Competition in Vienna, XV Savshinsky International Music Competition, OPUS Music Competition, American Protégé International Competition, Stockholm Tenth International Music Competition, Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition, Vienna Virtuoso International Competition, Charleston International Competition, Elite International Music Competition, International Youth Music Competition, and American Music Talent Competition. He also received different prizes from the Thomas Hulbert International Piano Competition, San Francisco International Piano Competition, International Young Artist Piano Competition, Enkor International Music Competition, Feurich International Competition, Artcial International Piano Competition, the Pacific International Piano Competition, International Grande Music Competition, and Bradshaw & Buono Piano Competition.
He won first place in the VMTA (Virginia Music Teacher Association) State Auditions in 2022, second in 2021, and third in 2023. Additionally, he won first place in RMTA (Richmond Music Teacher Association) Central Virginia District Auditions in consecutive years (2021-2024), the Bach Competition, and the Sonata Competition. Stephen received the Student of the Year 2022 Achievement Award and the 2023 Summer Music Camp Scholarship from RMTA.
Stephen achieved his Carnegie Hall and Ehrbar Saal Vienna performance debuts in 2023. He was invited to perform at the Washington International Piano Festival 2023 and 2024. He had masterclasses with Professor Vladimir Kharin (University of Music and Performance Arts, Vienna), and Daniel Adam Maltz (Fortepianist based in Vienna). Stephen regularly performs as a volunteer at greater Richmond area retirement centers. Besides playing piano, Stephen loves reading and math. He received the grand award (99%) from the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Testing in 2021.