Yihan Chen is a sophomore at Indiana University High School, Bloomington, Indiana. A native of China, he began piano study at age 8 and took up composition at age 9. He studied piano with Mr. Zhenghao Lin in China, before he came to study with Dr. Karen Taylor, Director of the Indiana University Young Pianists Program and the IU Summer Piano Academy. Yihan's first composition teacher was Derek Johnson, who now teaches at Ball State University. His current composition teacher is Dr. Don Freund, renowned composer and professor at the IU Jacobs School of Music.

Yihan was the Grand Prize winner of the Concerto Division and the first place winner of the Level 10 Concerto Division at the 2010 World Piano Competetion. He was also the winner of the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the New World Youth Orchestras, the 2010 Young Artist Concerto Competition by Murray State University, 2009 IMTA Composition Competition, the 2008 MTNA State Level Competition, the 2007 Carmel Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition.