“Playing with clarity and boundless energy, … displaying Chen’s extraordinary speed and freedom on the Steinway.” — Margot Hannigan, Nelson Mail

Born in Auckland, New Zealand; Tony Yan Tong Chen has performed in North America and Europe, and throughout his home country. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the Orchestra Auckland, Bach Musica, Nelson Symphony, Aotea Youth Symphony, amongst others; and as Young Artist in solo recital and chamber music at the Whakatipu and Akaroa International Music Festivals. Recordings of his live performances have been broadcast on the Sky Arts Channel (2015), The Violin Channel (2021), and New Zealand’s RNZ Concert Radio (2017-22). 

His debut album recording with the Rattle label RAT-D112 was received Finalist Selection for New Zealand’s Best Classical Album at Recorded Music NZ’s 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards. Numerous competitive awards include: Baroque Special Prize and 2nd Prize at the Kuleshov International Piano Competition (2024), Honorable Mention [Div. V] and Finalist [Div. X] at the 17th Los Angeles International Liszt Competition (2022), Finalist Award at the Stecher and Horowitz 10th New York International Piano Competition (2022), 2nd Prize at the Marian Garcia International Piano Competition (2021), Alternate of the MTNA New York State Young Artist Piano Competition (2019), and Winner of the New Zealand National Piano Competition (2019). 

He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Alan Chow. His former teachers also include Bryan Sayer, Jian Liu, Rae de Lisle, Able Zhu, and Blas Gonzalez. Since 2023, he has been studying with Kathryn Brown at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he is recipient of the Director's Award for Piano. 

A multi-instrumentalist, his professional experience extends to orchestral performance, chamber music, and pedagogy on the violin, viola, trumpet, and French horn. He has been engaged as a performing member of large ensembles including the Manukau Symphony, Nelson Symphony, Orchestra Auckland, Bach Musica, and New Plymouth Synthony. He has been employed as trumpet tutor at the Howick School of Music (Auckland, NZ) and violin/viola tutor at ROCmusic Collaborative (Rochester NY, USA).

Tony Yan Tong Chen gratefully acknowledges the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, Waikanae Music Society, UNESCO Auckland City of Music, and individual philanthropists Dr. Jack C. Richards and Sir Michael Hill for their support in grant awards, professional development, and scholastic funding.