Meet Helena

Helena developed a deep passion for music from an early age. She began studying piano at age four and vocal performance at eight. She ranked first in the admission exam of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the most prestigious conservatory in China, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with honor. During her time in Shanghai, she taught at institutions such as SMG Shanghai Radio Children’s Chorus and Shanghai Normal University No.1 Affiliated Elementary School. Her classes are warmly received by both students and their parents.

Helena came to the United States to pursue further studies in piano performance. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music under Prof. Hanna Wu Li, the recipient of the Presidential Scholar's Distinguished Teacher Award from the White House. She received the Elizabeth Graf CFA scholarship and Scholarship from the School of Music. Vincent Lenti, professor at Eastman School of Music once described Helena’s playing as “musical and elegant”. During her graduate years, she was the piano instructor at the CMU Music Preparatory School. She also learned Dalcroze Eurhythmics and taught classes in Pittsburgh Public Schools with Dr. Natalie Ozeas.

Helena is an active member of MTAC and NAfME. She has extensive experience preparing students for CM/ABRSM/RCM exams. She teaches in English and Mandarin Chinese.


Education

  • Master of Music, Piano Performance, Carnegie Mellon School of Music
  • Piano Pedagogy Programme, Carnegie Mellon School of Music
  • Bachelor of Music Education, Shanghai Conservatory of Music


Work Experience

  • Private Piano Studio, San Francisco Bay Area/Pittsburgh/Shanghai
  • Carnegie Mellon University Music Preparatory School, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Pittsburgh Chinese School, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Shanghai Radio Children’s Chorus (School for chorus and music), Shanghai
  • Shanghai Normal University No.1 Affiliated Elementary School, Shanghai
  • China Welfare Institute Children's Palace Choir, Shanghai
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (Shanghai) Choir, Shanghai


Awards & Honors

  • Elizabeth Graf CFA Scholarship Award, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
  • School of Music Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Scholarship Award, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai, China
  • Merit Student, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai, China
  • Nationwide top 1 in Music Education Major Admission Exam, Shanghai Conservatory of Music
  • Second highest score record of Solfeggio Exam, Shanghai Conservatory of Music
  • Full score record in theory of both Admission Exam and Exemption Exam, Shanghai Conservatory of Music
  • First Place of Young Pianist Competition, Qingdao, China


Performance

  • Solo pianist — Solo Piano Recital, Kresge Theater, Pittsburgh
  • Solo pianist — Solo Piano Recital, Kresge Theater, Pittsburgh
  • Pianist, keyboard player — Carnegie Mellon School Concert, Kresge Theater, Pittsburgh
  • Chorus, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh
  • Chorus, Mellon Institude Auditorium
  • Chorus, Great Hall Concert, College of Fine Art

Get in touch

In-person and online lessons.

My in-person students come to me from all over the Bay Area: Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, San Mateo, San Jose, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Fremont, Pleasanton and surrounding areas.

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