Ixi Chen/Projects
Her
projects
An orchestra seat, a chamber ensemble, a conservatory studio and three platforms for musicians: everything Ixi plays, builds and runs.
Perform · Teach · Create
Where you'll find her
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Second Clarinet since 2001. She has also recorded with the orchestra on the Telarc label.
Orchestra profileconcert:nova
The chamber ensemble she founded in 2006, blending traditional and contemporary music. It has commissioned more than 30 new works. After 17 seasons she and co-founder Ted Nelson handed leadership to Brianna Matzke in 2024.
concertnova.comCCM · University of Cincinnati
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the College-Conservatory of Music, on the faculty since 2004.
Faculty profileHome Studio
A private studio for students of all ages, from 15 to 75, with lessons and coaching for players at every stage.
Lessons & coachingDigital Clarinet Academy
Co-founded in 2020 and co-directed with Dr. Tiffany Valvo: online clarinet training and resources for players around the world.
digitalclarinetacademy.comMusic360
A platform for music performance, career counseling and entrepreneurial training, home of the Digital Clarinet Academy and Thrive.
music-threesixty.comconcert:nova · 2006–2024
Reinventing the concert
Ixi founded concert:nova in 2006 with fellow Cincinnati musicians. Its fusion of traditional and contemporary music, inter-artistic collaboration and unusual venues set out to build a new audience for art music and a deeper connection to the community.
The ensemble has commissioned more than 30 new works and given 15 regional premieres, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWave and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. After 17 seasons, Ixi and co-founder Ted Nelson passed the ensemble’s leadership to Brianna Matzke in 2024.
Messiaen meets Beckett
Quartet for the End of Time paired with Waiting for Godot, with artist Trinidad Mac-Auliffe and actor Julianna Bloodgood.
Music in unexpected places
Concerts in the Contemporary Arts Center’s UnMuseum and beyond, with actors, visual artists and members of Cincinnati Ballet.
A Ray Bradbury rock opera
An original work built on stories by the science-fiction writer.
Schubert, reimagined
A collaboration with indie-pop band The Mitchells, and appearances at Cincinnati’s MusicNOW Festival with cellist Jeffrey Zeigler.
Music360
A career hub for musicians
Music360 is a career hub for musicians: performance, career counseling and entrepreneurial training in one place. It treats building a meaningful career as part of the artistic practice, not a break from it.
Its coaching goes beyond auditions and materials to projects, pricing confidence, communication and career direction, delivered through programs like the Digital Clarinet Academy and the Thrive membership, a community of musicians with monthly activities and guest experts.
Digital Clarinet Academy
World-class digital content and virtual training for clarinetists.
Thrive membership
A community for musicians building their careers together, with monthly activities and guest experts.
Workshops for orchestras & schools
Including a session for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago on turning anxiety into agency.
Digital Clarinet Academy · 2020
Clarinet training, online
Co-founded in 2020 and co-directed by Ixi Chen and Dr. Tiffany Valvo, the Digital Clarinet Academy gives clarinetists around the world access to high-level instruction online, with world-class digital content, virtual training and a global community of players.
Its programs have included a comprehensive summer learning experience with faculty such as Ixi, Tiffany Valvo and Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
digitalclarinetacademy.comLearn from anywhere
Lessons, courses and resources built for the online space.
Connect with clarinetists
A community of players from around the world.
Take the next step
Training that fills the gaps in traditional classical study.
Watch & listen
Hear her play
Poulenc
Sonata, i. Élégie
VideoFarrenc
Trio in E-flat major, Op. 44, i. Andante – Allegro moderato
RecitalClarinetFest® 2021
Plowman, Hoover and Delibes (arr. Ixi Chen), with Tiffany Valvo, Ted Nelson and Julie Spangler
PodcastThe Fearless Artist
How to build a sustainable music career, with host Michelle Lynne
Collaborate
Let’s create
For lessons, coaching, masterclasses and collaborations, get in touch or explore Music360 and the Digital Clarinet Academy.
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