Yu-Ling Chen, Ph.D., MT-BC

Biography

Dr. Yu-Ling Chen joined the faculty of Queens University of Charlotte in the fall of 2019 after teaching at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for six years. Her research interests include music therapy for neurodivergent children, dementia care, Neurologic Music Therapy applications, and cultural humility. She has presented at numerous conferences and authored papers for peer-reviewed journals including Music Therapy Perspectives and Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

A native of Taiwan, Chen has maintained connections from her time practicing music therapy in Taiwan from 2004 to 2010, collaborating with doctors, therapists, and professors in clinical work and research. One collaboration resulted in an international trip, taking American students to Taiwan on a research grant funded by the Taiwanese government in 2019. She has also brought cultural exchange experiences to students through online platforms.

Chen strives to cultivate students as independent thinkers while practicing cultural reflexivity. At the same time, she wants to be a cheerleader supporting and fueling passion for the students’ endeavors and adventures, so they have the courage to be innovative. Chen also likes to provide her students with community engagement opportunities, so they can get real-world experience and know that they are making a difference.

In addition to being a music therapist, Chen is active as a collaborative pianist. Chen was the collaborative pianist for saxophonist Dr. Matthew Tracy’s album, Fantasy Pieces. She collaborated with the Queens Choral Union and Royal Voices led by her colleague, Dr. Justin Smith. For her 2022 Faculty & Friends concert, she collaborated with Vida String Quartet, raising funds for the Dr. Frances J. McClain Music Therapy Students of Color Award she helped create at Queens.

Education

Ph.D., Music Education with an Emphasis on Music Therapy, University of Kansas
M.M., Piano Performance, University of Kansas
M.M.E., Music Education with an Emphasis on Music Therapy, University of Kansas
B.F.A., Music, National Taiwan Normal University