Weijun Chen

Chinese composer Weijun Chen (b. 1990) writes music that presents itself with understated, yet deeply-felt, elegance.Chen’s music has been played by leading ensembles such as Eastman Wind Ensemble, Arditti Quartet, New York New Music Ensemble, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, TALEA Ensemble, Momenta Quartet, Mivos Quartet, The Rhythm Method, Uusinta Ensemble, Cuong Vu Trio, Ensemble Son, and Either/OR, among others. In addition to the Jacob Druckman Prize from Aspen, Chen has received awards such as the I Creation/Mivos Prize, runner-up of the Red Note Composition Competition, 2nd prize of the Frank Robert Abell Competition, and the American Prize. He has appeared in festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, MATA, June in Buffalo, Mise-En Festival, and Red Note New Music Festival.Recent commissions include a new work for Ensemble Linea at the 2016 MATA Festival, and a new work for the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2016 Aspen Music Festival.A Presidential Fellow, Chen is currently pursuing his PhD at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he studies composition with David Felder. He has studied composition with Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, Lisa Bielawa, David Liptak, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, and Robert Morris. Chen completed his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music receiving degrees in composition and music theory (highest distinction), as well as an Arts Leadership Certificate.