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Henry Chen, double bass
A versatile bassist, Han-Jui (Henry) Chen has performed in North America, Europe, South Africa, Asia, and his native Taiwan. He enjoys performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral bassist. Henry was appointed to the faculty at Central Conservatory of Music in Fall of 2018. He previously taught double bass at Soochow University during 2014-2018, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2013, and Ball State University during 2011-2012. Henry also taught regularly in many international festivals such as Lan-Yang International Double Bass Summer Camp, Biarritz International Bass Academy, Chicago Bass Festival at Ravinia, and Illinois Summer Youth Music.
Besides his rich teaching experience, Henry also have a successful orchestra career. He was appointed principal bass of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago by the principal bassist Joseph Guastafeste of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2008. He has served as principal of Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and Advent Chamber Orchestra in Chicago, associated principal bass of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and assistant principal bass of the Sinfonia da Camera at Champaign-Urbana.
The winner of 2008 DePaul University Concerto Competition, and a semi-finalist at the International Society of Bassists in Kalamazoo in 2005, Henry has also won numerous first prizes at national competitions in Taiwan including the Taiwan National Music Competition, the Tainan National University of the Arts Concerto Competition, and the Young Musician String Instruments Awards in Taiwan.
Henry earned the Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Master’s degree from DePaul University. His primary teachers include Michael Cameron, Robert Kassinger, Emilie Kuo, and Yungho Fu.
Recently, Henry worked with several permanent composers, including Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Bright Sheng, Erik Lund, Stephen Yip, and Yao Chen, in preparation for performances of their work.