Cello

Bei Chen

LanguageShanghai dialect, Mandarin, English

After graduation from the Children’s Music School and Middle Music School of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Mr. Chen was selected by Shanghai Symphony Orchestra as a member. Mr. Chen joined Shanghai Peking Opera Theater and made film sound tracks for “On the Docks” and “Azalea Mountain” in Beijing 1972-74. He then became the principle cellist of the newly formed Shanghai Philharmonic Society, Mr. Chen earned a bachelor’s degree of English Literature from East China Normal University and took some post-graduate study in Arts Management in the University of Illinois in1990. He was once the principle cellist of the Winchester Orchestra of San Jose . With thirty years teaching experience, he has also performed extensively with Bay Area orchestras and chamber music groups.

No-mic Acoustic PerformancePeking Opera Film Azalea Mountain (1974)
The Winchester Orchestra of San Jose
Piano quarte

Student Performance
Christmas Play
2004 Student Recital

Online Lessons and DemosLearned 3 months mainly online

Teacher’s WordsEver hear a cello orchestra? Hardly can any other instrument form such an four parts ensemble. Cello has a compass from bass to suprano, and its sound is so human. Play it when you have a mood, good or bad. The music works on your mood, and the mood works on the music. It is my companion for sixty years. I teach, perform and live my life. Welcome to join the cello family!

Reviews

Chen Lao Shi is a very talented and motivational teacher. He always challenges me but also teaches me various techniques that improve my cello playing. With his unique teaching methods, he makes learning and practicing fun. A part of the reason why I love playing the cello is because of him. He is one of the best music teachers I’ve had.

— Aiko Gervacio-Denda

Bei Chen is a really great teacher. He always takes his time to help me understand what he is teaching and even if he gets frustrated, he never shows it. He teaches in a way where I can understand the important points and he always explains things when I have a hard time. Overall, Teacher Chen is one of the best cello teachers I’ve have ever seen.

— Olivia Ma

With many years of experience in cello performing and teaching, Mr. Chen has his own logic and system for teaching. He can explain the principle of performance, quickly point out Zixi’s practice problems and provide reasonable practice methods. such as what angle should the hands, elbows, arms be placed on, and explain the reasons for doing so. He also recommend ed to set the metronome at various tempos to practice. Teacher Chen has been playing the cello for many years and graduated from the famous Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He grew up in Shanghai, a city where classical music is popular. When he was young, he studied in the United States. he can communicate with Zixi in Mandarin, English and Shanghainese, which makes the Zixi feel more cordial. Teacher Chen also encourages the children very much. At the beginning, Zixi felt it difficult to play the cello and after getting multiple times of affirmation from the teacher, his self-confidence is getting stronger and stronger. This is a good mentality change.

— Zixi’s Dad

After an half year learning, my daughter Sharleen Ho has made a great progress under Mr Chen Bei’s direction. From a real beginner last year she can well play about 20 songs following the Suzuki Cello School textbook. All this results should credit to the teacher Mr Chen. He is quite gentleman like, nice and patient, experienced and professional. All kids in class can learn a lot from him. Thank Ai Music school. Thank Mr Chen and all other dedicated instructors. Sharleen will keep on working harder to pursue for a great leap in the coming year.

— Sharleen’s Mom

Mr. Chen is an amazing cello teacher. He is patient, kind, and relates extremely well to the students. He is adept at teaching to different student levels and focusing on their individual growth, even in a group setting. He encourages the children and corrects their mistakes in such a gentle manner, so that they are eager to improve and enjoy the music. We are so fortunate to have a teacher with Mr. Chen’s expertise teaching our child!

— Sophia’s Mom

Instrument PurchaseKamimoto String Instruments
Address: 609 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 298-8168

Scott Cao Violins
Address: 1860 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 364-1668