Music

From Classroom to Convocation: Chia-Yi Chen Named CFA’s 2026 Student Speaker

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Violin Performance major Chia-Yi Chen will address the Class of 2026 at CFA’s Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, May 16

Chia-Yi Chen, a violinist from Chiayi, Taiwan, is a Doctoral candidate in Violin Performance at Boston University, studying under the mentorship of Lucia Lin, violinist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Chen holds a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with Keng-Yuen Tseng, prize winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from National Kaohsiung Normal University, studying under Chih-Chang Hsueh, Professor of Violin at Taipei National University of the Arts. Chen has participated in masterclasses with distinguished violinists including Nathan Cole, Ilya Kaler, Levon Ambartsumian, Hu Nai-Yuan, Anne Shih, and Yumi Hwang-Williams.

During academic training, Chen received numerous honors, including the Chiayi Senior High School Yudou Award (first prize of the liberal arts group), Concerto Winner Prize at Chiayi City Hall, the NKNU Academic Excellence Top Award, the Ministry of Education Teacher Education Excellence Award, the Peabody Van Hulsteyn Violin Award, the Taiwan Ministry of Education Government Scholarship for Study Abroad, and the Chamber Music Prize at Boston University Chamber Music Competition. Chen is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society.

In July 2024, Chen returned to Chiayi City to present the ticketed violin recital “Midsummer Reverie” and was invited to perform Bach at National Chiayi University. Throughout the course of study, Chen has served as concertmaster at Boston University, guest concertmaster with the Apollo Ensemble of Boston, and first violinist with the Freisinger Chamber Orchestra, developing extensive performance experience. Additional engagements include a solo performance at a therapeutic care center in Germany, reflecting Chen’s interest in the relationship between music and society.

In the summer of 2024, Chen was admitted to several prestigious international festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Festival Napa Valley, and the Varna International Music Academy. Chen ultimately attended Festival Napa Valley and Varna IMA with full scholarships, collaborating with international artists.

In addition to performance work, Chen serves as an instructor of Aural Skills at Boston University and frequently returns to Taiwan during the summer to offer masterclasses. Chen also has substantial experience working with younger students, including organizing middle-school summer programs, teaching remedial English courses, and assisting in learning camps.

Q&A with Chia-Yi Chen

CFA: Chia-Yi, congratulations on being named the 2026 CFA Convocation Student Speaker! How did you feel finding out you had been selected?

Chia-Yi: Thank you! I felt very grateful for the opportunity to share my speech with the audience. It isn’t just about me, it’s about offering something sincere that reflects our shared experience. I hope my words can help make BU feel like a truly memorable community, and remind the Class of 2026 of the bittersweet moments we’ve experienced together at CFA.

How are you preparing for your speech? What emotion do you hope your words will evoke in the audience?

I prepared my speech by first reflecting on my own journey at CFA, and then expanding that perspective to the broader community of artists here. It’s not only about the accomplishments we celebrate, but also the challenges we face, grow from, and are ultimately transformed by. I hope my words sincerely reflect this shared experience, inviting the audience to revisit those warm moments with peers and teachers, as well as the moments when we learned to trust ourselves and recognize our own growth.

What are some of your favorite, most treasured memories from your time at CFA?

Some of my most treasured memories are not just the performances or QE milestones, especially for doctoral students (laugh), but the in-between moments: late-night rehearsals, some cheer-up conversations with peers and mentors, and the shared sense of striving toward something meaningful. Many of these moments came with challenges, but over time, those struggles have become some of the most meaningful and lasting memories. 

What do you want people to remember about the CFA Class of 2026?

I hope people remember the Class of 2026 as a group that stayed connected to why we began. Even as we moved toward the professional world, we carried our sense of purpose with us. There is a quiet strength in this class, coming from reflection, growth, and a shared commitment to the arts.

What are some of your plans post-graduation? 

I’m really excited about what comes after graduation. I definitely plan to take some time to rest after such an intensive learning process, but I also feel grounded and ready to begin working in the field of education. I hope to support students and be part of their growth.