Jessica Chen, Founder
Jessica Chen is a dynamic violinist, violist, and music educator based in Los Angeles who loves sharing the joy of music with others. An experienced educator, Jessica has worked with a diverse range of students internationally and across the United States. In Los Angeles, Jessica currently serves as the lead teacher of Horizon Music Studio, as a teaching artist with LA Phil’s YOLA program, and as a violin & viola teacher with the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program (PSMP). She has held faculty positions in Singapore at Stamford American International School and Wolfgang Violin Studio, and in Colorado at Rocky Ridge Music Academy. She has also served as the director and lead teaching artist of First Notes, an El Sistema-inspired program in Vail, Colorado. Jessica holds the California state music teaching credential, and she has extensive training in the Suzuki Method, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and string pedagogy. As a dedicated music educator, Jessica is committed to lifelong learning and practice in order to continually design innovative learning experiences and to stay connected to her students’ perspectives.
As a violinist, Jessica enjoys performing across a diverse range of musical genres, cultures, and multidisciplinary arts settings. She is an active freelance player in Los Angeles, having recently performed with the Hollywood Studio Symphony, the LA Film Conducting Intensive, and the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Jessica performed as the violin soloist at PbP’s Plate by Plate Gala, at TAP-LA’s Annual Gala, and in Sierra Madre Playhouse’s production of The Last Five Years. A keen supporter of new music, Jessica has premiered original compositions with the itch and Pendulum New Music concert series, as well as with the renowned Very Young Composers program. In addition, Jessica is a passionate worship musician and serves regularly with the worship music ministry Stream of Praise 讚美之泉.
Jessica holds degrees in violin performance and music education from the University of Colorado Boulder and Ithaca College. She has performed in music festivals including Meadowmount School of Music, Round Top Festival Institute, Brevard Music Center, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Scotia Festival of Music (Canada), and International Lyric Academy (Italy). Jessica has also participated in the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies, the Richard Luby Violin Symposium, and the Karen Tuttle Viola Workshop. Jessica has performed in master classes for artists including Charles Castleman, Giora Schmidt, the Ying Quartet, Violaine Melançon, and Katherine McLin. Her principal teachers include Nicholas DiEugenio, Bayla Keyes, and Harumi Rhodes. Jessica is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and the Suzuki Music Association of California (SMAC). Drawing on a diverse musical background, Jessica also enjoys making music as a singer and pianist. In addition to musical endeavors, Jessica loves learning languages, reading, and nature.