Zixin (James) Chen

B.Mus., M.Mus, B.Sc., M.Eng.

James Chen earned a double degree in Piano Performance (BMus) and Electrical Engineering (BSc) from the University of Calgary. Continuing his studies in both fields, he achieved a Master of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Engineering in Software Engineering.

At the age of 7, James began playing piano in China and continued his studies with Marilyn Engle after immigrating to Canada. Under her guidance, he competed at the Canadian Music Competition (CMC), Calgary Concerto Competition (C3), and Calgary Kiwanis Festival (now the Calgary Performing Arts Festival). Continuing under the tutelage of Professor Engle at the University of Calgary, James performed with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as a finalist in the RBC Concerto Competition in 2014. He also performed for artists such as Aleksandar Madžar, Pavel Kolesnikov and played at the Académie Musicale Internationale “Barbara Krakauer” in Vaison-la-Romaine, France, and the Coimbra World Piano Meeting in Portugal.

 During his graduate studies, James discovered his interest in collaborative music as the accompanist for the University of Calgary Chorus and Chamber Choir. Since 2018, he has been the accompanist for the Calgary Zhi Yin Choir, playing a key role in celebrating Chinese musical heritage and advancing cultural diversity in Calgary’s arts scene. He also performed as part of the Prairie Saxophone Initiative from 2022-2024, increasing accessibility to classical sax music in communities, big and small, across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.