Teacher Profile: Xingyi Chen

About Xingyi Chen

Xingyi Betty Chen (陳星逸) is a pianist, composer, and interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance and Music Composition from the Eastman School of Music, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Composition at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. She teaches piano and composition, and her approach blends strong technique with creativity, theory, ear training, and expressive artistry.

Betty grew up in a musical family and started taking piano lessons officially at age of five, and quickly developed a love for both performing and creating music. Her compositions reflect a unique cross-cultural perspective, influenced by both Eastern and Western traditions, and often incorporate visual art, literature, and science to explore spiritual and philosophical ideas, creating sonic immersive experiences. She has collaborated with renowned artists and ensembles such as Ensemble Modern, Kinetic Ensemble, Romer Quartet, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, and sound artist Vica Pacheco.

As a performer, Betty is deeply committed to contemporary music. She has performed with OSSIA New Music, Musica Nova, EARS (Eastman Audio Research Studio), Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, and the Shepherd Contemporary Ensemble. She was also a Bang on a Can Festival fellow, where she performed with the BoaC All Stars and premiered works by leading composers including Kevin Puts and Joan Tower.

Since 2020, Betty has taught piano and composition both in person and online. She works with students of all ages and levels, and is known for her creative, clear, and supportive teaching style. Her lessons are personalized to each student, focusing not only on technical skill but also on musical expression and personal growth. She is passionate about nurturing each student’s unique musical voice and building confidence through engaging, well-rounded instruction.