Formosa is the former name for Taiwan. The name Formosa dates from 1542, when Portuguese sailors sighted an uncharted island and noted it on their maps as Ilha Formosa ("beautiful island"). Both born in Taiwan, violinist Huifang Chen and pianist Catherine Lan have been concertizing as Duo Formosa. Duo Formosa has toured extensively throughout the United States, performing at major concert halls and museums. Enthusiastic about education, Duo Formosa has presented lectures and recitals at libraries and universities across the USA. In 2022, Duo Formosa made its Ireland debut concert tour performing in Limerick, Dublin, Wicklow, and Mullingar. 

As a dynamic and diverse musician, violinist, and conductor, Huifang Chen enjoys a dual career as a performer and an educator. She is currently the Concertmaster and associate conductor of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and a Professor of Violin at the New World School of the Arts in Miami. She was a member of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra from 1994 until its demise in 2003. She studied with Jascha Brodsky at the Curtis Institute of Music. As an international violin soloist, Ms. Chen has appeared with many orchestras around the globe including the Taipei Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan and Brno Philharmonic in Czech Republic among others. As a committed violin pedagogue, many of Ms. Chen’s students are frequent winners at both local and international competitions. Many are now attending top music schools such as the Curtis Institute of Music and Juilliard School, and many others are now members of professional orchestras.