Monic Chen Hoi Kei is a distinguished pianist, improviser, and composer renowned for her eclectic musical approach that spans classical, avant-garde, pop, free jazz, and various rhythmic styles . Her academic journey includes a Master’s degree in piano from Boston University and a Master’s degree in contemporary improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied under notable mentors such as Choi Sown Le, Roberto Plano, Stephen Drury, and Ran Blake. Her overseas studies were supported by a scholarship from the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR .

Chen's career is marked by a commitment to diverse musical expression and innovation. She has performed extensively across Asia, as well as in Italy and the United States . A prolific artist, she has premiered works by numerous composers and has also been commissioned to write her own pieces, which she frequently records . Her discography includes contributions to albums such as "Reflections from the Instants - Selected Soundtracks by Ellison Lau" , and her own tracks like "Not Now" (feat. Akitsugu Fukushima) from the album "Strings of Sorrow" . Other notable compositions and performances include "From Chaotic to Artistic," "Longing," "Addressing a Dream (Graphic Score)," "Déjà Vu (Hereby Loving You)," and "The Surrender" .

Beyond her performance and compositional work, Chen is a significant figure in the development of contemporary music in Macau. In 2020, she founded the Macao Contemporary Music Association, where she serves as director. She further championed new music by organizing the inaugural Macao Alternative Music Festival in 2023, aiming to foster the growth of innovative musical expressions within the city . Chen advocates for an expansive view of musical aesthetics, believing that music, much like life, can embrace diversity, innovation, chaos, madness, and challenges, extending beyond mere pleasing melodies and harmonies