Jessica Chen, Suzuki Violin & Viola Teacher in San Gabriel, CA
Owner & Instructor, Horizon Music Studio
Teaching Philosophy
Jessica Chen is a dynamic violinist, violist, and music educator based in Los Angeles who loves sharing the joy of music with others. She founded Horizon Music Studio with the dream of serving the San Gabriel Valley through vibrant and joyful Suzuki music education. Jessica is passionate about guiding students of all ages and levels learn to develop strong technique and musicianship skills on the violin or viola, ultimately to perform with expression and confidence. She believes that through music education, students learn to develop character, drawing inspiration from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s idea of: “beautiful tone, beautiful heart”. Jessica is committed to lifelong learning and practice in order to continually design innovative learning experiences and to stay connected to her students’ perspectives. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and the Suzuki Music Association of California (SMAC).
Training
Jessica holds degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder (M.M. Violin Performance) and Ithaca College (B.M. Violin Performance & Music Education). She holds the California state music teaching credential, and she has extensive training in the Suzuki Method, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and string pedagogy.
(Training, Continued) Jessica has studied & performed in music festivals including Meadowmount School of Music, Round Top Festival Institute, Brevard Music Center, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Scotia Festival of Music (Canada), and International Lyric Academy (Italy). Jessica has also participated in the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies, the Richard Luby Violin Symposium, and the Karen Tuttle Viola Workshop. Jessica has performed in master classes for artists including Charles Castleman, Giora Schmidt, the Ying Quartet, Violaine Melançon, and Katherine McLin. Her principal teachers include Nicholas DiEugenio, Bayla Keyes, and Harumi Rhodes.
Professional Experience
An experienced educator, Jessica has worked with a diverse range of students internationally and across the United States. Before founding Horizon Music Studio, Jessica held faculty positions in Singapore at Stamford American International School and Wolfgang Violin Studio, Oasis Trilingual Community School in the San Gabriel Valley, California, and Rocky Ridge Music Academy in Colorado. She has also served as the director and lead teaching artist of First Notes, an El Sistema-inspired program in Vail, Colorado.
As a violinist, Jessica enjoys performing across a diverse range of musical genres, cultures, and multidisciplinary arts settings. She is an active freelance player in Los Angeles, having recently performed with the Hollywood Studio Symphony, the LA Film Conducting Intensive, and the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. Jessica has performed as the violin soloist at PbP’s Plate by Plate Gala, at TAP-LA’s Annual Gala, and in Sierra Madre Playhouse’s production of The Last Five Years. A keen supporter of new music, Jessica has premiered original compositions with the itch and Pendulum New Music concert series, as well as with the renowned Very Young Composers program. In addition, Jessica is a passionate worship musician and serves regularly with the worship music ministry Stream of Praise 讚美之泉.
Drawing on a diverse musical background, Jessica also enjoys making music as a singer and pianist. In addition to musical endeavors, Jessica loves learning languages, reading, and nature. She grew up visiting family in Arcadia, San Gabriel, Temple City, and Rosemead and is thrilled to now be part of the local community here in the SGV!
