Olivia Chen
Olivia Chen studies Environmental Science and Public Policy at Harvard University. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she grew up singing in school choirs and playing the violin and piano. At the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, she continued to study the piano with Mr. Fabio Witkowski, and had opportunities to participate in the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, compete in state competitions, and perform with the school orchestra. She also took up the organ with Mr. Al Sly in 2010, and contributed to Hotchkiss theatre as a music director. At Harvard, Olivia studied with Mr. Christian Lane and sang with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum from 2012 to 2014. Looking forward, Olivia aspires to become an urban planner and address pressing environmental and social needs in cities of the global south. Playing the piano and organ will always be her treasured pastimes.
“Christian opened my eyes to the history and culture of organ music. He taught us about the context of composers’ lives, the make of different organs, and how this knowledge can enrich our musical decisions in playing each piece. Christian encouraged me to attend master classes and perform in student recitals, which helped me to grow more confident and serious about performance.”