All the world may be a stage, but not everyone chooses to act or sing on it. Some, like Yung-jen Chen, choose to play a piano on it.

Chen was born in Taiwan and has traveled all over the world to further his education, performing in multiple competitions on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall in New York City.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Taiwan, a performance diploma in England, and a doctorate in Musical Arts from Ohio State in 2007.

Chen has been at the piano since the age of 6, when he began taking lessons just like his older brother and sister had done before him. Unlike his siblings, Chen didn’t close the keyboard after a few months, or even after high school.

“When I was older and could decide for my own life, I decided that the piano was my best friend and continued playing,” Chen said.

He chose his “best friend” to be his major instrument while at the Taipei National University of the Arts.

“I’m more comfortable playing piano because I don’t have to face the audience when I’m playing,” he said.

His minor instrument was the violin; he played in the OSU orchestra while studying for his doctorate.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Chen served two mandatory years in the Chinese army. During his service, he auditioned for and received a scholarship to the Birmingham Conservatory in England, where he went on to study after his service.

After graduating, England couldn’t offer Chen the conclusion he wanted for his piano studies, so Chen’s eyes turned to the United States, and he spent just over three years at OSU on scholarship. Fewer than a dozen students were in the doctorate program, all doing research and getting equipped to teach on a collegiate level. Chen finished his DMA program in 2007.

Chen and his wife of two years, whom he met while studying at the Birmingham Conservatory, live in Columbus for the time being. Chen is currently employed at Otterbein College.

Chen said that teaching cuts into his practice time — instead of six to seven hours of practice a day, he now can only practice between three and four hours a day. However, he said, “I like teaching students. It’s like seeing my childhood, when I was a teenager.”

He doesn’t compose any songs of his own. He is strictly a performer.

“Performing is my thing,” Chen said. “I perform a lot, and I really enjoy it.”

He has performed in Italy, Wales, England, Japan, the United States and Taiwan. Of them all, his favorite performance was a duet with Stella Chia-Shan Cheng last year in Carnegie Hall.

On Wednesday night, Chen and Cheng will be together again in Weigel Auditorium playing some of the same songs they performed at Carnegie.
“People tend to get bored with a solo recital,” Chen said, “But this is a duet, so it’s involving more work coordinating with each other and will be more interesting.”

One of the songs that Chen and Cheng will be playing is “The Garden of Eden” by contemporary American composer William Bolcom. The song will involve some knocking on the piano ledge, and tapping heels on the floor.

“It’s kind of rock. It’s more fun,” Chen said.

Classical music will have its place in the concert as well, including works by Rachmoninoff, Shostakovich and Messiaen.

“Playing any instrument is a long way to go. Sometimes you practice for hours, and you don’t get the results right away, and it’s very frustrating in some ways,” Chen said. “You are the only one who can really, really enjoy the music you’re making. It’s a way to let your emotion out and be happier. It’s really enjoyable. Just keep performing and people will hear you.”

Chen and Cheng will be performing at 8 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium on campus. Tickets will be sold at the door. General admission is $12; senior citizens and students with BuckID are $6.