Yun-Hung Chen Yun-Hung Chen
Yun-Hung Chen graduated with highest distinction from the conducting department of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Austria, in 1991, and received a Master of Music Education from Westminster Choir College in the United States in 1999. Chen is currently CEO and choral artistic director of the Taiwan Choral Music Center (TCMC), and conductor of the New Festival Choir, the Soochow University Alumni Choir, and the Bliss and Wisdom Asoka Choir, as well as coach of the Shrimp vocal ensemble of visually impaired singers. Chen is listed in Germany’s international directory of choral personalities, “Who is Who in Choral Music, 2007.”
She has led choirs to international choral competitions and performances across Europe many times, winning numerous honors and accolades. In 2006 she led the Taipei Chamber Singers to the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Hungary, where the choir won the Grand Prix and she received the Best Conductor award. In 2005 she conducted the Taipei Chamber Singers to a gold medal and first place at the International Johannes Brahms Choir Competition in Germany, again winning the Best Conductor award. In 2002 she led the Taipei Century Choir to the 巴倫 International Choral Festival in Estonia, winning first place in the a cappella folk song category. In 1997 she conducted the Taipei Century Choir to the Grand Prix at the International Choral Competition C. A. Seghizzi in Italy, personally sweeping the awards for Best Interpretation of Brahms and Best Conductor. Since 2007 she has frequently been invited to serve on the juries of international choral competitions and to teach at international workshops. Connecting with the international choral world is an essential part of her global vision.
Driven by a love of choral music, Yun-Hung Chen founded the Taiwan Choral Music Center with a group of friends in 2000 to promote choral education in Taiwan. Guided by the spirit of “innovation, sharing, service,” she puts into practice a lasting and selfless vision of choral music for the world. With a particular interest in contemporary choral music, she has devoted herself to commissioning new choral works from contemporary Chinese-speaking composers and regularly presents “Music Unlimited – Contemporary Works” concerts with the Taipei Chamber Singers. In 2010, the contemporary choral album Utmost Utterance of the Time: A Tribute to Contemporary Choral Music, recorded with the Taipei Chamber Singers, won Best Vocal Performance in the traditional arts category of the 21st Golden Melody Awards. In 2015, the album Sound in Silence: Classics of Sacred Choral Music, recorded with the Taipei Chamber Singers, won Best Album Producer and Best Conductor Interpretation in the traditional arts category of the 26th Golden Melody Awards. In 2018, the album “Emergence and Rebirth” (破繭與重生), recorded with the Taipei Chamber Singers, was nominated for Best Art Music Album, Best Vocal Interpretation, and Best Conductor Interpretation in the traditional arts category of the 29th Golden Melody Awards. In 2019, the album “Song of the Land” (大地之歌), recorded with the Taipei Chamber Singers, was nominated for Best Vocal Performance in the traditional arts category of the 30th Golden Melody Awards. In 2021, the album YIN—An Unlimited Passage, recorded with the Taipei Chamber Singers, won Best Album Producer and Best Vocal Performance in the traditional arts category of the 32nd Golden Melody Awards. Her contributions to choral music in Taiwan are widely recognized by the country’s music and academic communities, and in 2020 she was named one of Soochow University’s 5th Distinguished Alumni.
Developing contemporary choral music in Taiwan, advancing choral music education, connecting with international choral trends, and bringing Taiwanese choirs onto the world stage remain her lifelong calling.
2005~2020 Artistic Director and Conductor