After nine years as director of the Trenton Youth Orchestra (TYO) and manager of Trenton Arts at Princeton (TAP), Lou Chen ’19 is leaving for Stamford, Conn. He will be working as the CEO of INTEMPO, a non-profit organization that aims to bridge the divide between immigrants and music education.
The University has yet to officially fill his position, but is actively looking for potential candidates. In the meantime, current staff, including some students, Trenton Arts fellows, and University faculty will continue his work.
Chen assured The Daily Princetonian in an interview that the program has been left in good hands.
“Many people are banding together to help with this transition, showing just how invested everyone is in the program,” he said.
Chen's passion for music education began at a young age.
“Growing up, I had a real passion for music education. I was among the very few students in my public school system who could afford private lessons,” he explained, adding that he recognized his privilege in “being able to access what a lot of my classmates couldn’t.”
Chen told the ‘Prince’ that after his experience with Community Action (CA) — one of Princeton’s first-year orientation programs — he started to notice the similar disparities between the artistic environments of his hometown of San Bernardino, Calif. and Trenton. This inspired him to create a six-person orchestra that connected Princeton volunteers with Trenton High School students. In his senior spring, the University hired Chen to extend the reach of the program.
Under Chen’s supervision, this six-person orchestra expanded into TAP. He highlighted the Saturday Morning Arts (SMARTS) program to the ‘Prince’ as one of the most successful elements of TAP.
“TAP … now encompasses a variety of programs, the largest of which is our Saturday Morning Arts, or SMARTS, program, which includes not only the orchestra at this point, but also singers, dancers, and theater,” said Chen.
SMARTS “is a community of over 100 Princeton University students, faculty, and staff, as well as Trenton public school students,” Chen said. Through SMARTS, Trenton students meet with Princeton volunteers for rehearsals every Saturday in the Lewis Center for the Arts. The program includes free breakfast, lunch, and bus transportation.
Chen added that, in his view, the program has strengthened community bonds and creativity and noted the breadth of people who have contributed to the success of the program — including faculty members and volunteers from both the Princeton and Trenton communities.
“They’re doing all this not because they’re paid, but because they’re deeply invested in their students’ artistic and emotional well-being,” he said.
Vivian Clayton ’28, who has been working with SMARTS since the beginning of the semester, described Chen's welcoming presence. Chen “remembers everyone’s name" and "really wants to make sure that everyone feels seen," Clayton shared. "His presence will be missed.”
Rowan Johnson ’27, a TYO string teacher training assistant, also described Chen's caring presence.
“Lou is someone who cares truly and deeply about making meaningful connections through art. His passion is radiant and infectious, and he made Saturday Morning Arts one of the most warm and joyous spaces I’ve found on campus,” he said.
Jenia Marquez ’25, who has been involved with TYO and TAP during all four years of her Princeton career, will serve as one of the interim conductors in Chen’s absence.
“I will always maintain that being a Trenton Arts Fellow was my favorite thing I’ve done at Princeton, and Lou was a huge reason why,” Marquez said in an interview with the ‘Prince.’ “He [Chen] has taught me so much about teaching and conducting with compassion and empathy first, and, as one of the interim conductors of TYO in his absence, I know I have huge shoes to fill,” she added.
“He’s going to be sorely missed, but I know that the strength of the community he’s built will ensure that TAP will continue to thrive in his absence,” Johnson added.
Chen said he will take lessons from his work at Princeton with him into his next venture.
“This experience taught me two things: First, you have to be attentive to students’ hidden talents. Often, it’s these small, spontaneous moments that create opportunities. And second, you have to work with people. Early on, I might have been more inclined to push my own vision, but some colleagues taught me the importance of building consensus and listening,” he explained.
Chen expressed that he has faith that TAP will continue to flourish.
“I feel confident leaving now because the program is rooted in a strong team effort, and I know it will continue to grow and thrive,” he concluded.
Jake Miller is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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