“..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..” — Margot Hannigan, The Nelson Mail
Born in New Zealand, Tony Yan Tong Chen has concertized throughout his home country, and abroad in North America and Europe. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the Orchestra Auckland, Bach Musica Orchestra, Nelson Symphony, Auckland Youth Orchestra, Aotea Youth Symphony, amongst others.. Solo performance and chamber music highlights include concerts in Switzerland, Spain, Canada, USA, and urban cities/townships across New Zealand. Recordings of his live performances have been broadcast on the Sky Arts Channel of the United Kingdom (2015), The Violin Channel (2021), and Radio New Zealand Concert (2017-). His debut recital disc produced by Rattle Records RAT-D112 (Mozart, Liszt, Prokofiev, Tan Dun, John Psathas) received selection for New Zealand’s Top 3 Best Classical Albums (Recorded Music Awards 2021).
He earned prizes at the Chicago International Music Competition (1st Prize, 2025), 18th Los Angeles International Liszt Competition (2nd Prize [Div. V], 2024), Knoxville International Piano Competition (3rd Prize, 2025), Kuleshov International Piano Competition (2nd Prize & Baroque Prize, 2024), and Marian Garcia International Piano Competition (2nd Prize, 2021). Additional recognitions include Finalist Award of the Stecher & Horowitz 10th New York International Piano Competition (2022), Alternate of the MTNA New York State Young Artist Piano Competition (2019), and Winner of the New Zealand National Piano Competition (2019).
He has been engaged as a performing member of various orchestras (Manukau Symphony, New Plymouth Synthony, Bach Musica etc.), Violin/Viola Tutor of The Hochstein School/ROCmusic (USA), and trumpet tutor at the Howick School of Music (NZ). He holds an Associate Diploma (ARSM/DipABRSM) from the Royal Schools of Music in Violin Performance with distinction and Grade 8 ABRSM in Trumpet and French Horn Performance. His violin teachers have included Lyndsay McDonald, Olga Vorontsova, Carol Ruzicka, and Brian Hong. His instructors of brass and wind instruments have included: Nigel Weeks (trumpet), Tony Webster (French horn), Cheryl Le Ferve (clarinet), and Barry Turner (trumpet, clarinet).
His students have accomplished many successes thus far, including at the Trinity College London and Royal Schools of Music Fellowship/Licentiate diplomas, Graded examinations, and miscellaneous national/international piano competitions across the Oceania/Asia Pacific region.
Chen is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music. He is currently studying at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in the Artist Diploma Program. His principal teachers have included Michael Chertock, Dror Biran, Kathryn Brown, Alan Chow, Bryan Sayer, Rae de Lisle, Able Zhu, and Blas Gonzalez.