Kevin Lu Chen

Kevin Lu Chen, a gifted 15-year-old music composer and pianist from Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away on January 7, 2025. Kevin was born on May 17, 2009 in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Kevin was known for his gracious demeanor and warm smile. He attended Wayzata High School and MacPhail Center for Music. He was a member of the Wayzata FIRST Robotics team and Wayzata High School Orchestra. He filled his life in the pursuit of solving mathematical and computer programming challenges, as well as creating classical music.
Kevin's musical journey began at the age of four when he started playing piano, and by the age of five, he was already composing his own pieces. He studied piano and composition at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN, and also played violin. Kevin's talent and dedication to music earned him numerous awards and honors in various competitions at state and national levels, such as MTNA Composition Contest, NFMC Junior Composers Contest, Sinfonia Young Composer Competition, and MacPhail Concerto & Aria Concert. He was also a multiple-time recipient of the Joan Miller Composition Scholarship at MacPhail.
Kevin's music filled his home with joyous energy while bringing strength and comfort to those around him, even during his most challenging times. He was initially diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in August 2022. During this first round of cancer treatments, he wrote "Going Home" https://youtu.be/onKJxoIFNiU?si=dTzRVgxyKd3qZe9I Since his relapse in January 2024 he wrote numerous additional compositions, some of which can be found on his YouTube channel.
Kevin is survived by his loving family including parents Kelly Lu and Brian Block, father Sean Chen, step siblings Hailey and Kienan Block, and his beloved dog Lily.
Visitation featuring live music and recorded music videos composed or performed by Kevin will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 4-7pm Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel and Funeral Home, 5125 W Broadway, Crystal, MN 55429
Visitation with live Quartet performing Kevin's music will be held on Thursday, January 16, 10am, King of Grace Lutheran Church, 6000 Duluth St, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 16, 11am, King of Grace Lutheran Church, 6000 Duluth St, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, January 16, ~12:30pm, Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel and Funeral Home, 5125 W Broadway, Crystal, MN 55429
In lieu of flowers the family requests that Memorial donations be made to Osteosarcoma research and music charities through
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Giving, Kevin Chen Osteosarcoma and Music Fund, ID: 711151 https://thriventcharitable.thrivent.com/giving/make-gift