San Diego Reader

Chelsea Chen: Organ

Genre: Classical, Gospel

Sound description: Virtuoso organ music.

RIYL: Organ music

Upcoming Local Shows

No shows scheduled | Post a show |

Related Links

• Chelsea Chen website

Synoposis

Influences: Hindemith, Dupre, Vierne, Max Reger, Teddy Niedermaier, Ola Gjeilo, Paul Desenne, Yui Kitamura, Roderick Gorby

Background:

Chelsea Chen is an organist and composer, known for her inventive arrangements of Chinese folksongs, German hymns, and classical French music.

The San Diego native studied piano from a young age with Jane Bastien and Lori Bastien Vickers. At fifteen, she began organ lessons with Leslie Robb, and later with Monte Maxwell. She then went on to study with John Weaver and Paul Jacobs at Juilliard, receiving her Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

A Juilliard graduate and Fulbright scholar, Chen is broadening the classical organ repertoire with her own inspired compositions. She premiered her own compositions "Taiwanese Suite" (2003) and "Taiwan Tableaux" (2007) at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Chen's debut CD and DVD Live at Heinz Chapel was recorded on the Heinz Chapel organ at the 2005 Convention of the American Institute of Organbuilders.

Discography