Lavinia Chen is a professional violinist and passionate music educator who works for the San Francisco Symphony, performing music educational shows to elementary schools across San Francisco daily. Lavinia holds a Master’s degree in violin performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she achieved international recognition by winning competitions that led to solo performances in Vienna and London as the First Prize Winner. In 2021, Lavinia graduated from UCLA with a full scholarship, where she majored in violin performance and pursued double minors in Visual & Performing Arts Education (VAPAE) and Musicology. In 2016, Lavinia graduated from the renowned Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute (EMMI) at the Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, where she earned the privilege to play on the 1861 Sámuel Nemessányi Violin from the Mandell Collection. In recent years, Lavinia’s musical talents have been celebrated on stages across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.
Teaching is not just a profession for Lavinia; it’s her greatest passion. What sets her apart is her remarkable ability to tailor her approach to each student’s unique personality and needs. Crafting engaging and motivating lessons, she ensures her students eagerly anticipate each session. Drawing inspiration from renowned teachers worldwide, including Moscow, Germany, Canada, China, Korea, England, and the United States, she has assimilated valuable lessons that shaped her into the experienced and respected teacher she is today.
In addition to private teaching, Lavinia’s wealth of experience extends to conducting ensembles and leading after-school programs in K-12 classrooms. She particularly enjoys creating unique experiences by integrating visual arts/crafting into music learning, a passion she cultivated while teaching at the UCLA Community School.
Establishing strong connections with her students is not just a priority but a joy for Lavinia. She delights in hearing their stories and witnessing their musical growth. Beyond the language of music, her fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English enables effective communication with a diverse range of students and parents, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Over the past decade, Lavinia has actively prepared her students for ABRSM exams, competitions, recitals, and college auditions. Recognized for her cheerful spirit and mature teaching style, Lavinia has become the favorite teacher for many students.
