Stella Chen is a Taiwanese-American violinist who has made a name for herself in the classical music world. Born on October 21, 1993, in Palo Alto, California, Chen grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, a pianist, and her mother, a violinist, both played in the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Chen began playing the violin at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Chen's early musical education was shaped by her parents, who were her first teachers. She later studied with Wei He, a renowned violinist and professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Chen also attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied with Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho. Chen's talent was recognized early on, and she won numerous competitions as a young musician. In 2008, she won first prize in the Junior Division of the Menuhin Competition, one of the most prestigious violin competitions in the world. She went on to win first prize in the Senior Division of the same competition in 2019, becoming the first American to do so in over 30 years. Chen's success in the Menuhin Competition opened many doors for her. She was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed at major music festivals, such as the Ravinia Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Marlboro Music Festival. One of Chen's most memorable performances was at the 2017 Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm, Sweden. She was invited to perform with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Sakari Oramo. Chen played the first movement of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, which was met with a standing ovation from the audience. Chen's talent has also been recognized by the classical music community. In 2019, she was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, one of the most prestigious awards for young musicians in the United States. The grant is awarded to musicians who show exceptional talent and promise for a career in classical music. Chen is also committed to promoting classical music to a wider audience. She has performed in schools and community centers, and has given masterclasses to young musicians. In 2018, she founded the Stellar Quartet, a group of young musicians who perform in schools and community centers throughout the United States. Chen's success as a musician is a testament to her talent and hard work. She continues to perform and inspire audiences around the world, and is considered one of the most promising young violinists of her generation.

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