Presented by the Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study Solo Recital Series
Program
TBD
Livestream: https://mta.mit.edu/viewlisten/live-killian-hall
About the Performers
Because Valerie K. Chen (EECS ’22, EECS MEng ’23) always dreamed of uniting the cellists, she
started MIT’s first cello club CelloWorld(); and associated ensemble Cello++ (abbreviated C++).
Her initiatives extend beyond just the cello world, however: Valerie also founded the Music Unites:
Songs for Equity (MUSE) Project, an MIT video performance series highlighting Black artists.
An ardent performer, Valerie has played in MIT’s Emerson/Harris Program, Jazz Combos, Chamber Music
Society, campus pop-up music series “Sharing Notes,” and with the Symphony
Orchestra as both Concerto Competition winner and principal cellist. Most recently, she appeared as
soloist with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall for MIT Tech Night.
Outside of MIT, Valerie has won numerous accolades both as soloist and chamber musician. She
has also held the position of principal cellist of local, California All-State, and All-National honor
orchestras. She is immensely grateful to her teachers Joyce Geeting, Maureen Hynes, Clive
Greensmith, Kee-Hyun Kim, and Christine Lamprea.
Valerie is currently pursuing her PhD in interactive robotics advised by Prof. Julie Shah. Her goal in
both research and music is to improve lives through everyday interactions, which natural-ly compels
her to share music jokes, no matter how minor the oppor-tune-ity.
About the Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study
Support for private musical study is available for students through the Emerson/Harris Program (E/HP), which offers merit-based financial awards for outstanding achievement on instruments or voice in classical, jazz, or world music. Each academic year, the program awards Scholarships and Fellowships to nearly seventy students who commit to a full year’s study and participate in the musical life of MIT.
Auditions for the program are held at the beginning of each academic year. Private teacher selections, made in consultation with the E/HP jury heads, may include instructors from MIT staff and throughout Greater Boston. The Emerson/Harris Program is funded by the late Mr. Cherry L. Emerson, Jr. (SM, 1941), in response to an appeal from AssociateProvost Ellen T. Harris (Class of 1949 Professor Emeritus of Music). The Emerson/Harris Masterclass Series is supported, in part, by the Robert L. Malster (1956) Fund.
