Songs in Tumultuous Times – An Interview with Stella Chen | The Flying Inkpot

Songs Without Words: Weill, Barber and Prokofiev
Sat, 31 May 2025, 7.30pm
SOTA Concert Hall

Orchestra of the Music Makers 
Joshua Tan, conductor 
Stella Chen, violin

KURT WEILL – Symphonic Nocturne from Lady in the Dark 
SAMUEL BARBER – Violin Concerto Op. 14 
SERGEI PROKOFIEV – Symphony No. 5 



By Aileen Tang

The title of the Orchestra of the Music Makers’ (OMM) concert this weekend – Songs Without Words – points to the lyricism of the three works by Weill, Barber and Prokofiev, all written within years of each other during one of the most tumultuous decades in human history from 1939 to 1949. The latest of these, Barber’s lyrical Violin Concerto, will feature American violinist Stella Chen– first prize winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2019 and recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2020. Aileen Tang has a short chat with Gramophone’s Young Artist of the Year (2023) ahead of her concert with OMM.

The Flying Inkpot: Can you tell us how you started learning the violin? Was it always the violin that captured your heart from the start?

Stella Chen: My parents didn’t have many opportunities growing up, so they encouraged me to try everything — figure skating, soccer, chess, piano… the list goes on. One day, I was performing on the piano at a concert and heard a girl perform on the violin. I instantly fell in love with the sound — it was so pure and expressive. I’ve always loved music, but the violin has a special way of speaking to my heart.

TFI: Was there a moment when you realised you wanted to play the violin professionally?

SC: I’ve always felt deeply connected to music, but deciding to pursue it professionally was more of a journey than a single moment. It takes time — and courage — to trust your own voice and follow it, especially when the path isn’t easy or obvious. But over time, that love for music became something I couldn’t ignore.

TFI: You have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard. How has your knowledge and understanding of psychology played a role in your journey as a musician?

SC: I truly believe that every life experience shapes your voice as an artist, and my path through psychology has been no exception. Both music and psychology are, at their core, about understanding others and finding ways to communicate what often isn’t and can’t always be said in words. That parallel has always fascinated me.

In my teaching especially, I find myself instinctively tuning into the gap between a student’s intention and what actually comes across in their playing. Psychology has given me tools to notice and explore that space, and to help students align what they feel with what they express. Whether it’s through phrasing, technique, or simply encouraging them to trust their own voice, it’s all part of building that bridge. It’s a deeply human process — and that’s what makes it so powerful.

TFI: How do you manage your packed schedule travelling, performing and teaching? Is there anything in particular that you like to do that helps you relax?

SC: It’s definitely a full schedule, but I feel lucky because all the different parts of my work inspire each other. Teaching helps me reflect on my own playing, and performing helps me become a better teacher. When I need to relax, I love a good workout — kickboxing or Pilates clears my mind — and sharing a good meal with friends always lifts my spirits.

TFI: You’ve studied under great teachers and mentors, and are an educator yourself. What advice would you give to young musicians who are finding the pragmatic demands of modern society at odds with their passion and desire to play music?

SC: This is something I’ve thought about a lot, both in my own journey and with my students. It’s not always easy to follow a musical path, but the world is more open now to new ideas and ways of being an artist. My advice is to be brave and follow your own voice, even when it feels uncertain. I also believe strongly in supporting one another. Music has always grown through community — composers, performers, teachers, and organizers working together. Especially now, we need to lift each other up.

Tickets for Songs Without Words: Weill, Barber and Prokofiev are available from SISTIC:

https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/songs0625