Charlotte Academy of Music Piano Artistry student, Calvin Chen, was recently honored as Charlotte Concerts Outstanding Student at the 5 Browns concert on January 18, 2018. What an incredible honor, and one that is well deserved!
Calvin started piano lessons 8 years ago, at the age of 4, at Charlotte Academy of Music after his parents noticed him humming all the time and striking at the piano. He progressed quickly and a year later, he began violin lessons. Calvin has been a member of Charlotte Academy of Music’s Piano Artistry Program for several years. As a member of Piano Artistry, he has enjoyed master classes, workshops, and community performance opportunities. Calvin joined the Union County Prelude orchestra as a first violinist and moved up to 2nd chair at the age of 8. A year later, he joined the Charlotte Junior Youth Orchestra where he currently is 3rd chair in the first violin section. Calvin has received numerous “Superior” ratings at the NCMTA Piano Contest, and at the NFMC Piano Solo Festival. He has also won awards at the Charlotte Teachers Forum competitions placing 3rd, 1st and 2nd place for the last 3 years in his category respectively. Recently, Calvin started testing with the Royal Conservatory and earned Highest Honors for level 5 and State Certificate for Excellence in level 6 last year. Calvin also joined the school band two years ago and plays trumpet at Carmel Christian School. On the side, he has learned to play guitar and often uses his musical and multi-media talents to help with his church’s small group functions. Calvin’s younger brother plays piano and cello and together they have fun improvising pieces. Calvin is currently a 7th grader and stays busy with his rigorous academic honor classes and participating in his school’s math olympics and speech meet as well. Last year, he enjoyed participating with Odyssey of the Mind and his creative writing piece was nominated to represent his school.
Calvin takes pleasure in helping his classmates by creating quizlets for classmates to learn from. He is well-liked by his teachers and each year has earned a top student academic award from his teachers. During his free time, he enjoys playing tennis with his family, playing his flying simulator game, working on home movies, and goofing off with his younger brother.
Calvin studies with Mrs. Phyllis Teague at Charlotte Academy of Music for piano and Dr. Ernest Pereira for violin.