“The first movement cadenza, moving from introvert reflection to extrovert roar, was spellbinding; the folkish finale a dancing delight.” — William Dart, The New Zealand Herald
“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 throughout his home country, and abroad in North America and Europe. 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 received Finalist Selection for New Zealand’s Best Classical Album at Recorded Music NZ’s 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards. He has been major prizewinner of the Marian Garcia International Piano Competition (2nd Prize, 2021), Kuleshov International Piano Competition (2nd Prize & Baroque Special Prize, 2024), 18th Los Angeles International Liszt Competition (2nd Prize [Div. V], 2024) and Knoxville International Piano Competition (3rd Prize, 2025). Additional recognitions include Finalist Award at the Stecher and Horowitz 10th New York International Piano Competition (2022), Alternate of the MTNA New York State Young Artist Piano Competition (2019), and Winner of the Wallace New Zealand National Piano Competition (2019). Chen is a graduate of the Eastman School where he studied with Alan Chow. His former teachers also include Bryan Sayer, Rae de Lisle, and Able Zhu. Since 2023, he has been studying with Kathryn Brown at the Cleveland Institute. 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 various large ensembles and enjoyed employment as violin/viola tutor at ROCmusic Collaborative (The Hochstein School) trumpet tutor at the Howick School of Music.
