Nancy Xi Chen is currently a doctoral researcher in music education at Durham University. She previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Musicology from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music and later completed a Master’s degree in Piano Performance at the University of Southampton. Before beginning her PhD studies, she taught for six years at Shaoguan University in China.

Her research focuses on music learning motivation, music performance anxiety (MPA), self-regulated practice, and career preparation among undergraduate piano students. Drawing on extensive experience as both a pianist and educator, she brings personal insight and academic rigour to her work.

Nancy presented her research at the 36th ISME World Conference held in Helsinki in 2024. As she continues her academic journey, she remains committed to advancing music education research and supporting teaching in higher education settings.