Alvin Chen (b. 1988) is a summa cum laude graduate of the prestigious University High School[1186] in
Irvine, California, ranked one of the top 200 high schools in the nation by Newsweek. He is well known as a world-class pianist and math/science tutor. A straight-A student, Chen will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology[1187] in the fall of 2007. He is also famous as the online "Ultimate Dance Machine," ultimate dance machine&total=51&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 a title given to him as a result of a Google video immortalizing his dancing abilities. His gift for dance is not surprising as his mother is a dance teacher as well.

Scholastic Achievements

Alvin was deeply involved with high school activities. As a dedicated student active in student life, he was the president of Math Club and Ocean Science Bowl in 2006-2007, and served on the boards of Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and the Classical Music Forum. As a teenager deeply committed to learning the intricacies of life, Alvin took many difficult AP courses during his high school career, including those of biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics, and music theory, among others. He made top grades in all of these classes, earning the respect of his teachers and peers. Chen scored 800s on his Math IIC, Biology, and Chemistry SAT II's, a feat accomplished only by a handful each year. Alvin was also a semifinalist in the United States of America Biology Olympiad in 2006, and a National Merit Finalist. He has also proved his ability in mathematics by being a member of the second place Math Day at the Beach team, a member of the Southern California American Regions Math League, and an American Invitational Mathematics Examination qualifier.

Musical Achievements

Pianist since the young age of 7, Alvin has performed in the major concert halls of the world, including the Henry & Renee Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Oliphant Hall and the Chapman Memorial Auditorium at Chapman University, the Sacramento Convention Center, and the famed University High School Theater. Alvin is one of the few who have made these many coveted accomplishments. Alvin is not only wanted as a concert
soloist, but is also in high demand to perform as an orchestral pianist. Prestigious orchestras such as the Honor Orchestra of America, California All-State Honor Orchestra and the All-Southern California Wind Ensemble, as well as his high school symphony and the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, have all been privileged to have Alvin as pianist. His repertoire is large and varied, including the major works of Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, and Brahms. Teachers, critics, and fellow artists alike have all marveled at Alvin's ability to play the piano. Mrs. Gayle Bentley wondered in amazement how "Alvin can memorize so many notes!" after a stunning performance of Saint Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in g minor.

Alvin is equally comfortable in chamber music, as he was a member of the Junior Chamber Music for three years and performed difficult works by Shostakovich, Smetana, Dohnanyi, and Felix Mendelssohn.

During the summer of 2006, Chen received a full scholarship to study in Warsaw, Poland, at the Frédéric Chopin School of Music, which he claims to be the "most significant experience [he] has ever had in his lifetime."

Chen holds a Piano Performance Diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Other achievements include, but are not limited to, winning top prizes at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Music Teachers Association of California Bach, Romantic, and Contemporary Festivals, MTAC Panel Honors, LA/OC Emerging Artists Competition, Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and University High School Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (twice). His major performances include performances of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 with the OC Youth Symphony and University High School Orchestra and Saint Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2. He has also performed a full length senior recital at the Irvine Presbyterian Church.

Alvin is not only an accomplished pianist, but also a decent flutist. In 2005, he was a member of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and in 2004, he was principal flutist in University High School's Wind Ensemble and selected as the band's "Most Outstanding Freshman." He has also been a member of the All-State and All-Southern Honor Bands. Even though Chen considers himself mainly a pianist, he enjoys practicing flute from time to time.

Chen has performed with concert artists such as Daniel Alfred Wachs, Christopher Lin, and John Koshak.

Dance Career

Alvin is a very accomplished dancer. His ability to achieve scholastically and musically cannot compare to his rare and unique skill in the movement of the body. In the summer of 2006, while just a senior-to-be in high school, Alvin was recorded doing an eclectic mix of dance moves on the University of California, Irvine campus. Filmed by his "homie" and "bro," Christina Zhu, the video has caused Alvin's popularity to skyrocket almost overnight.

Crowned the "Ultimate Dance Machine" by admiring peers, Alvin quickly gained fame within and beyond the prestigious University High School campus. He anticipates pursuing a professional dance career and hopes to continue his avant-garde approach to dance in his future endeavors.

Social Life

It must be noted that unlike many artists, Alvin is not a reclusive anti-social freak. He is, in fact, a cool kid, with enough friends to make him a normal person. He enjoys speaking on the phone with his good friend, a world class violinist and his trio member, Christopher Lin.