Ensheng Chen
Waltons New School of Music Faculty
Hailing from China, Ensheng began learning the cello at the age of five and was admitted to the renowned Zhejiang Arts School as a child, where she was awarded both special and first-class scholarships. During her time there, she performed as a cellist in the Zhejiang Arts School Traditional Chinese Orchestra and Yue Opera Troupe, specializing in the bass section. Ensheng continued her studies with a degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Professor Xie Guangyu, and she was awarded a prestigious 1848 Scholarship there to pursue her Master’s degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, studying cello with William Butt and Baroque cello with Aoife Nic Athlaoich. Throughout her studies, Ensheng received guidance from a number of renowned musicians, including Nicholas Tzavaras, Su Li, Qin Liwei, Wang Lei, Dóra Kokas and Xandi van Dijk. She has performed with leading Chinese orchestras such as the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Suzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, appearing in major events such as the 2018 Foshan New Year Symphony Concert, performing Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. She has also been involved in major productions, including the Bilibili Macro Link 2021 event, the musicals He Luting and Rachmaninoff, as well as performances in Tencent’s annual New Year’s event and Angela Zhang’s 2018 Journey world tour. In Ireland, Ensheng has performed in New Music Dublin, Asian Music Night, Dublin Chamber Festival and Esker Festival Orchestra concerts. She has also worked in opera accompaniment for Spirits Unsurrounded and performed with chamber ensembles such as the Westland Baroque Trio and Desperado Trio. In 2025, the Westland Trio launched a series of Baroque-themed performances, as well as concerts exploring both classical and contemporary music. She also actively collaborates with gu zheng musicians, and this cello-gu zheng duo frequently presents new performances blending Eastern and Western musical traditions. Most recently, she participated in two Chinese New Year concerts organised by the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, where she performed traditional Chinese pieces alongside a gu zheng musician. Ensheng has taught cello to students of all ages for a number of years. ‘My approach to teaching is tailored to each student’s needs. I aim to provide students with a broad musical perspective while building a solid foundation that allows them to express themselves through music. Through careful observation and communication, I identify each student’s musical preferences and strengths. My training in Alexander Technique at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music has given me a deep awareness of posture, physical strengths and limitations, and healthy cello playing habits. Drawing from my experiences in Baroque music, chamber music, musical theatre accompaniment (including improvisation, jazz, and rock), and classical training at both the Shanghai Conservatory and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, I aim to create a personalized learning path that helps each student to develop their unique musical style.’
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