Yi Chen is a saxophonist and pedagogue in both the concert and jazz idioms. Yi has taught and performed throughout the United States and internationally with appearances in Japan, China, Belgium, and Croatia. Recently, he has given masterclasses and recitals at the University of North Dakota, California State University Fullerton, and Truman State University.
Yi regularly performs at both regional and national conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and the Great Plains New Music Festival.
As a soloist, Yi has been featured with the Hong Kong Youth Saxophone Ensemble, the La Prima Vera Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Iowa Concert Band.
Yi Chen received a BM in Saxophone Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from California State University Long Beach, an MAT in Music Education from the University of Southern California, and a DMA in Saxophone Pedagogy and Performance with secondary studies in Jazz Studies from the University of Iowa. Primary teachers include Leo Potts, Jay Mason, James Barrera, Kenneth Tse, and Damani Phillips.
Dr. Chen currently serves as Lecturer of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at South Dakota State University
Yiqun Chen is a D'Addario Woodwinds Artist and Yamaha Artist and plays on D’Addario reeds and Yamaha saxophones exclusively.