Ellie Chen

Ellie Chen started playing the cello at the age of seven, studying with Ken Kulosa. She was born in Coralville, Iowa, and was raised in St. Louis. She attends school at the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS), and is a rising senior at 16.

This is Chen’s third season with the Youth Orchestra. Besides YO, she has been a member of the Missouri All-State Orchestra, the Young People’s Concert and Symphonic Orchestras at the Community Music School of Webster University, and the Preparatory Program, a chamber ensemble also held at Webster. Her experiences have led her to pursue a double major in neuroscience and music in college.

Besides practicing the cello, Chen also plays the piano at a competitive level and the flute. For her hobbies, she loves technology (especially building computers), interior design, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.