LEADERSHIP · CONSULTING · COACHING
Leadership & Consulting
with Dr. Archie Chen
Executive Director · Artistic Director · Educator · Career Coach
Available for non-profit consulting, leadership development, and professional coaching
in Spokane or remotely worldwide.
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Arts Executive. Educator. Coach.
“A great talent, both as instrumentalist and musician.”
— Ralf Gothoni, Royal Academy of Music, London
Dr. Archie Chen is a multi-faceted arts executive with over two decades of experience founding, building, and directing internationally acclaimed organisations. As Co-Executive Director of Holy Names Music Center, Founder and Artistic Director of the Dublin International Piano Festival, and former faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and TU Dublin Conservatory, Dr. Chen brings a rare combination of artistic excellence and administrative leadership to every engagement.
Combining 40 years of collective arts administration experience with his partner Rhona Gouldson-Chen, Dr. Chen offers consulting and coaching services to non-profits, universities, arts organisations, and individual professionals seeking strategic guidance, operational clarity, and career momentum. He operates from Spokane, Washington and works with clients locally and remotely worldwide.
POSITIONS & CREDENTIALS
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Co-Executive Director
Holy Names Music Center, Spokane, WA (2023–present)
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Founder & Artistic Director
Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy (2012–present)
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Co-Founder & Director
Piano Academy of Ireland, Dublin (2006–present)
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Co-Founder
National Piano Festival, Ireland (2008–present)
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Assistant Professor of Piano
Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin (15-year tenure)
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Assistant Professor of Piano
TU Dublin Conservatory of Music & Drama
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Artist of the Year
NY Classical Music Society (2013)
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Music Bursary Award
Arts Council of Ireland (2016)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Where Dr. Chen Delivers Results
01
Arts Administration & Festival Direction
Founded and directed internationally recognised piano festivals across two continents. Deep expertise in programming, faculty recruitment, budget management, sponsor relations, and audience development. Proven track record growing organisations from concept to acclaimed institutions.
03
Music Education & Curriculum Development
Creator of four comprehensive online education programmes covering piano pedagogy, literature, historically informed performance, and music entrepreneurship. Former faculty at two of Ireland’s foremost conservatories with a 15-year tenure in higher education.
02
Non-profit Executive Leadership
Co-Executive Director of Holy Names Music Center with 40+ combined years of arts organisation leadership. Skilled in institutional strategy, board governance, community engagement, fundraising, and mission-driven management. Experienced navigating both growth phases and organisational transitions.
04
Career Coaching & Artist Development
Track record of guiding students to prestigious conservatories, competition victories, faculty positions, and international performance careers. Specialises in audition preparation, personal branding, portfolio development, and long-term career strategy for musicians and educators.
TRACK RECORD
A Career Built on Results
2012
Dublin International Piano Festival
Founded the DIPF & Summer Academy — growing it into a prestigious 9-day international event with world-class faculty including Edmund Battersby, Evelyne Brancart, and HJ Lim. Relaunched its 6th edition in 2019 as one of Europe’s premier piano events.
2023
Holy Names Music Center
Appointed Co-Executive Director of one of Spokane’s most beloved music institutions — bringing combined decades of arts administration, festival leadership, and higher education experience to propel the organisation to new horizons.
15 yrs
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Fifteen years as faculty at Ireland’s two foremost conservatories — while simultaneously co-founding two international festivals and developing four comprehensive online education programmes serving musicians worldwide.
SERVICES
Available Services
All services available in Spokane, WA or remotely worldwide.
Educational Consulting
Strategic guidance on curriculum development, programme design, and academic administration for music schools and universities.
Non-profit Consulting
Operational strategy, governance, fundraising, and organisational growth consulting for arts non-profits at any stage.
Leadership Development
Building the skills, mindset, and presence of effective artistic and institutional leaders through targeted coaching and mentoring.
Executive Coaching
One-on-one coaching for arts administrators and organisational leaders navigating growth, transition, and strategic decisions.
Training
Customised workshops and training programmes for musicians, educators, and arts professionals on a wide range of professional topics.
Career Development Coaching
Structured coaching for musicians and educators building sustainable, fulfilling professional careers in the arts.
Interview Preparation
Targeted coaching for faculty positions, leadership roles, graduate school applications, auditions, and competition preparation.
Resume & CV Review
Expert critique and professional rewriting of CVs, artist statements, bios, grant applications, and application materials.
Video Production
End-to-end video production for concert documentation, promotional content, masterclasses, and digital marketing campaigns.
Video Editing
Professional post-production editing for performance recordings, educational videos, online courses, and institutional content.
RECOGNITION
What They Say
“The grand gesture, whether of gorgeously full tone or daring velocity, seems to be at the heart of Chen’s approach… a fiery temperament, and the necessary elements of technique are there to support it.”
— The Irish Times
“A performance that has stayed longer in the memory than anything else… a drily witty performance.”
— International Piano Magazine
Sony Classical Records
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Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center
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Spokane Symphony
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RTÉ Concert Orchestra
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The Spokesman-Review
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Spokane Public Radio
CONSULTING FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of organisations does Dr. Chen consult with?
Dr. Chen works with non-profit arts organisations, universities, music schools, and conservatories, as well as individual musicians and music educators. He has particular expertise in arts administration, festival development, curriculum design, and music education programming at the post-secondary level.
Does Dr. Chen work remotely or only in Spokane?
Dr. Chen is based in Spokane, Washington and works with clients both locally and remotely worldwide. Video consultations, coaching sessions, online workshops, and training programmes are all available regardless of location.
What does an Executive Coaching engagement look like?
Engagements typically begin with a discovery session to establish goals, followed by regular coaching calls focusing on organisational strategy, leadership development, stakeholder management, and sustainable growth planning. All engagements are tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Can Dr. Chen assist with grant applications and fundraising?
Yes. Drawing on his own experience securing grants from the Arts Council of Ireland and managing multi-programme festivals, Dr. Chen offers guidance on grant writing, funding strategy, donor cultivation, and building sustainable revenue streams for arts organisations.
How do I begin working with Dr. Chen?
Please reach out via the contact form or email info@archiechen.com with a brief description of your organisation or professional goals. Dr. Chen typically responds within 48 hours to schedule an initial consultation.
Work with Dr. Archie Chen
Whether you are building a new arts organisation, developing your leadership team, launching a programme, or navigating a career transition — Dr. Chen brings world-class expertise and a proven track record to every engagement.
Available for consulting projects, coaching programmes, speaking engagements, and workshops in Spokane, WA or remotely worldwide.