Chiung Yu Chen Chen, Chiung Yu

Born in 1969, Chiung Yu Chen began studying piano, electronic organ, theory and composition at the age of five, and was once a member of the Taipei Christian Children’s Choir. In 1983 Chen entered the music program of the Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University, majoring in theory and composition with Professor 盧炎. In 1986 Chen entered the Department of Music at National Taiwan Normal University, majoring in theory and composition with Professor 柯芳隆, and graduated in 1991 at the top of the theory and composition class with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1994 Chen began graduate studies in theory and composition at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with Professors George Crumb, Richard Wernick, James Primosch and Jay Reise, completing the program in three and a half years and receiving a PhD in composition in December 1997. Since August 1998 Chen has been a full-time assistant professor in the Department of Music at Shih Chien University and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Music at National Taiwan Normal University. Chen’s works include chamber, orchestral and vocal music, and Chen is frequently commissioned to write arrangements and new works for performance.