Meet Chelsea Chien, the 15-year-old multi-disciplined artist who joined LAMusArt in January 2024. Chelsea enrolled at LAMusArt at 14, participating in Drama II with Ms. Tara and String Ensemble & Orchestra with Mr. Isaac. Reflecting on how she found LAMusArt, Chelsea shared, "Years ago, I was sent a postcard by LAMusArt. My growing interest in the arts led me to enroll."
Though Chelsea does not currently take any art or music classes at school, her artistic pursuits extend beyond the classroom. Her past experiences—ranging from orchestra and honors orchestra to drama and graphic design—have laid the foundation for her diverse skill set.
Since joining LAMusArt, Chelsea has immersed herself in various disciplines, including Drama II, Playwriting, Advanced String Ensemble, Choir, and private voice lessons. When asked to name her favorite class, Chelsea responded, "Drama II has been my favorite class so far” and that she’s interested in taking a dance class in the future.
Chelsea finds it difficult to choose just one teacher as her favorite because she has learned invaluable lessons from each of them. She explained, "It's very difficult to choose only one teacher as my favorite because from each of them, I have learned something priceless. In orchestra, string ensemble, choir, and drama, my teachers give me knowledgeable input. From learning technical skills in music to growing my confidence in drama, I wholeheartedly thank all of my teachers" Whether it's technical music skills or building confidence in drama, Chelsea expressed deep gratitude for her teachers, including Ms. Tara, Ms. Melina, and Mr. Isaac.
Her favorite memory at LAMusArt is from the May 2024 drama showcase, where she played Becky in Seeing Beyond alongside Maya Fantasma. "It was so much fun, especially to do it with such talented and kind-hearted actors from Drama II," she shared.
Beyond the arts, Chelsea is involved in a wide array of activities, including singing, songwriting, acting, Boy Scouts, karate, volleyball, and learning Japanese and Chinese. She also serves on a law advocacy team, founded a digital literary magazine, and is the Chapter Director for a musical nonprofit based in New Jersey.
When asked why the arts matter, Chelsea highlighted their emotional depth: "The arts play a huge role in our lives because through them, we are able to delve into our emotions in a safe space, emotions which cannot always be entirely expressed by words. It gives us a place in which we can be vulnerable. Chelsea’s time at LAMusArt has had a profound impact on the young artist. "Though really challenging and absolutely terrifying, I've grown to love vulnerable emotions through music and art," she reflected. The supportive LAMusArt environment has encouraged her to take more risks, fostering both personal and artistic growth.
Chelsea is most proud of stepping out of her comfort zone and expressing powerful emotions through different characters. "Coming to LAMusArt has allowed me to be free," she shared.
Looking towards her future, Chelsea aspires to study law, neuroscience, English, and acting. She credits LAMusArt with helping her build a strong foundation for each of these pursuits: "Drama II with Ms. Tara has greatly enhanced my confidence, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and public speaking, which are essential qualities for both a lawyer and an actress.” She adds, “The classes at LAMusArt have shaped me into a well-rounded person, preparing me for whatever path I decide to choose in the future.”
To anyone considering LAMusArt, Chelsea would say, "LAMusArt has surrounded me with such a supportive, talented, and warmhearted community. I've been able to create wonderful memories that I'll hold onto for a lifetime. It truly is an environment in which everyone can shine."
Comments