Helena Wei, an internationally acclaimed soloist, lecturer, and chamber musician, was born in Taiwan and raised in Toronto, Canada. She is a piano faculty member and Assistant Program Chair at the San Diego College of Continuing Education’s Emeritus Program (SDCCE). With over four decades of experience, she has developed a unique piano pedagogy that helps adult students rediscover their passion for music. Under her leadership, her "Piano Online" classes have grown from 13 to 450 students throughout California. She has recently been recognized for her excellence in teaching by the SDCCE Teacher’s Appreciation Awards.

Wei is the founder and lead organizer of the Emeritus Annual Concerts, coordinating a dedicated team of volunteers and faculty to celebrate community outreach. She also coordinates the "Passport to Success" professional development program, which provides faculty mentorship and guidance and onboarding through SDCCD and SDCCE. Her involvement with TSI 2025: The Summer Institute, speaking on “Storytelling through Music” which honors individual perspectives and experiences while engaging connection and community.

Wei serves as Festival Coordinator for the San Diego Amateurs Pianist International Competition and frequently performs in the community to raise awareness of the SDCCE Emeritus Program, such as at the Rancho Bernardo Discovery Music Series. She also regularly offers performance opportunities to advanced students at the Nazareth House of San Diego.

Wei was spotlighted in the New City Sinfonia for a performance of the Chopin Piano Concerto in March 2025. Her work has been featured in SDCCE "WE" Magazine and the Union-Tribune, and she continues to inspire students through masterclasses, workshops, and performances. 

Concerts, Performances, and Teaching Promos:

5th Emeritus Concert (April, 2025)

4th Emeritus Concert (April, 2024)

3RD Emeritus Concert, April 2023, (Timestamp: 1:17:00) 

https://youtu.be/cToTVdEwY8A   (Timestamp: 44:55)

https://vimeo.com/781287381/3a8a0de815

2nd Emeritus Concert, April 2022 (Timestamp: 1:17:11)

SDCCD- AAPI Heritage Celebration Virtual Concert, May 2021

1st Emeritus Concert, Feb 2020 

SDCCE Emeritus Program Piano Class Promotional Video

JCC Teaching Demo Performance

Masterclass with Full Auditorium Participation

Concert Photos:

https://jkatphotoinc.smugmug.com/Emeritus-Benefit-Concert-2024

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdce/albums/72177720304500486