Born in Changzhou, China, Chen has studied composition at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with Don Freund and Derek Johnson, and piano with Arnaldo Cohen and Karen Taylor. Chen is currently pursuing Bachelor of Music degrees in music composition and piano performance, studying with Claude Baker and Shigeo Neriki respectively.
Chen was the Grand Prize winner of the Concerto Division at the 2010 World Piano Competition. He was also the winner of the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the New World Youth Orchestras, the 2010 Young Artist Concerto Competition by Murray State University, 2009 IMTA Composition Competition, the 2008 MTNA State Level Competition, the 2007 Carmel Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition.
Chen made his debut as an orchestra soloist at age 11 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre (Indianapolis), performing with the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, the World Symphony Orchestra, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and the Honors Orchestra of America. Chen was also featured in the Honors Recitals of the Indiana University Piano Academy in five consecutive years. He has performed in Carnege Hall in October 2010.
Chen has composed over 90 pieces of music. He was the featured composer and pianist with Colorado State University Chamber Orchestra at the Griffin Concert Hall, where many of his compositions were premiered. He has won first prizes in several state level competitions and the honorable mention of the 2010 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. He has appeared in the Front Row Center program of the WFYI PBS TV station, on the cover of the Indianapolis Star, the Lebanon Reporter, the Hendricks Country Flyer, Plainfield Magazine, and in the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.