Instructor, Conducting
Yi-Ping Chen wishes to make classical music relevant to all of the communities she connects with. Chen is the Music Director of Rockbridge Symphony in Lexington, VA. Her influences in Harrisonburg include teaching conducting at James Madison University, serving as executive director of JMU's Spring String Thing camp, and conducting the Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra.
Passionate about providing equal access to classical music, Chen co-founded Caravanserai Music, a flexible chamber group that promotes compassion and community through performances. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she produced the Classical Connections video series to engage young audiences in classical music through interactive activites. She co-hosted online performances and dialogue with Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, on the topic of rejection and accceptance found in Schoenberg's Transfigured Night and the LGBTQ+ community.
Chen holds a DMA degree in conducting from University of Minnesota and a Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University. When she is not making music, she enjoys going on long hikes in the Shenandoah Valley and traveling the world with her daughter, Amelia, and her husband, Foster.
Stephen P. Bolstad
Professor, Director of Bands
Ensemble Area Coordinator
bolstasp@jmu.edu
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Foster Beyers
Assistant Professor
Director of Orchestras
beyersfj@jmu.edu
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Chuck Dotas
Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
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W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor, Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
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Scott Rikkers
Director of the Marching Royal Dukes, Assistant Director of Bands
rikkersd@jmu.edu
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Kevin J. Stees
Professor, Conductor of the JMU Brass Band
steeskj@jmu.edu
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Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Associate Professor, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Voice Area
vanderjx@jmu.edu
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Nieves Villaseñor
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Director of Pep Band
villasnx@jmu.edu
Yi-Ping Chen
Instructor, Conducting
chenyc@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
