Youth Orchestra
Charles Chen
Charles Chen is a 14-year-old freshman at Parkway Central High School. He has been playing the violin for seven years, and this is his second season in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. Before becoming a member of the YO, Chen played in the Webster University Community Music School’s Young People’s Concert Orchestra for two years and the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra for one year.
Chen first began playing the violin at age seven in second grade. After four years of playing, he knew that he wanted to join the talented musicians of the YO. Currently, he is a student of Julia Sakharova and is extremely thankful for her support and tutelage in his violin journey. He is also thankful for his family and other musical mentors who have helped him with his studies in violin such as Timothy Eshing and Clay Mckinney. Chen also enjoys playing in chess tournaments, reading and playing badminton.
