New England Conservatory (NEC) as the recipient of the Marylou Speaker Churchill Award. The award acknowledges a teacher and orchestral figure who “reflects Churchill’s qualities as a human being, educator, and musician.” Churchill, who served as a NEC College and Preparatory program faculty member for 28 years and as Boston Symphony Orchestra's principal second violinist for 23 years, was one of Chen’s first teachers in the United States.

Born in Taiwan, Maestra Chen came to the United States to study violin at Walnut Hill High School for the Arts.. Chen received a violin performance undergraduate degree from New England Conservatory and then became the first student in New England Conservatory’s history to be awarded double master’s degrees simultaneously in both violin and conducting.

During Chen's visit, she led a rehearsal with the Preparatory String Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and  also participate in a conversation moderated by Andrea Kalyn, NEC's  President.

"Mei-Ann Chen brings a remarkable sense of magic and clarity to every room she enters. As a college student who has worked with her directly and observed her lead everyone from young students to seasoned professionals, I’m continually inspired by her unwavering energy and presence. Her ability to teach, connect, and uplift musicians of all ages is truly masterful. I feel incredibly fortunate to know and learn from her.”

Nikki Naghavi, Senior Project Lead, NEC
and former NEC student