Thomas Chen is Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. Under his direction, the Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra earned regular appearances at the Indiana State School Music Association State High School Concert Finals, produced a recording of Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in 2019 and will perform again in 2024. Chen previously held the position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston, Texas, where he helped lead five orchestras to earn Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading.
In addition to public school teaching, Chen is Associate Conductor with the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra. Chen has performed as a guest conductor with Purdue University Philharmonic Orchestra, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Wesleyan University Summer Music Camp, and Wright State University Fall Strings Festival.
Chen earned his Bachelor of Music Education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he studied viola with Dr. Nicole Brockmann. While completing his studies, he earned opportunities to perform in masterclasses with the American String Quartet and Joan Tower. He was selected as a winner of the DePauw University Band Conducting Competition.
Chen is a proud member of the American String Teachers Association and National Association for Music Education. He currently serves as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana Music Education Association and President-Elect with the Indiana Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.