Santa Clara County recognized Angely Chen, a music teacher with the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA), with its Asian-American Hero Award in recognition of her contributions to the arts and music education.

Since 1997, Chen has taught classroom music in CSMA’s music-in-the-schools program, which brings weekly instruction to children at local elementary schools. She teaches the Kodaly music curriculum in grades K-3 in the Los Altos School District. The Cupertino resident has also taught in the Mountain View-Whisman and Cambrian school districts.

The award honors individuals who bridge differences among communities in areas of leadership, health and human services, the arts, education and family.