September 25, 2013. Vancouver, BC – Tom Lee Music is very proud to announce that Vancouver’s own Louis Wei has been named the first Young Steinway Artist in BC. Although Louis is only 16 years old, he is already an accomplished musician. His artistic and professional achievements have allowed him to become one of only 60 Young Steinway Artists in the world and only the second in Canada.

Louis Wei has been studying piano since the age of five. He has performed in many festivals and competitions including Kiwanis, Vancouver and Richmond Festivals and received many first place awards, trophies and scholarships. In 2011, he was invited to perform at Harvard University for the Asia and International Relations Conference. In 2012, Louis performed a piano concerto with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and recently performed at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Playing piano is not his only accomplishment. He is a straight-A student at St. George’s School for Boys and has a terrific attitude. “At St. George’s, we have sent many students to Ivy League Schools, but it is uncommon to find a student as versatile as Louis Wei. He is extremely talented musically, excels academically, and is passionate about his involvement in school life.” said Dean Markel, Louis Wei’s music teacher at St. George’s. “Louis Wei being named as a Young Steinway Artist is a great honour for St. George’s.” He added.

Louis Wei is very active in community events and he uses his music talent to contribute to the community. Being the president of Vancouver Young Pianist Club, he has organized numerous events including a charity concert which raised $3,000 for BC Children’s Hospital and a concert for Cedars Nursing Home.

About Louis Wei
Louis Wei is a 16 years old Honor Roll grade 11 student at St George's School for Boys. Louis Wei has been studying piano since the age of five. His teachers include Ian Parker, Lee Kum Sing, Henry-Paul Sic-Sic, Eugene Skovorodnikov and Fafan Xiao. Louis has competed in several piano competitions such as the Kiwanis, Vancouver and Richmond festivals and has received many first place awards, trophies and scholarships. He achieved a mark of 90 in his Grade 10 RCM examination and received a medal and certification from BCRMTA. In 2009, Louis was invited by the Musicians Association of Haining, China for a solo concert performance. On February of 2011, he performed at Harvard University for the Asia and International Relations conference. On May 1st, 2011, he performed his second solo concert at The Gateway Theatre in Richmond. In May 27, 2012, Louis performed piano concerto with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In December 2012, Louis won the highest achievement trophy and scholarship in The BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association SPG Festival.

In February 2013, Louis won the 1st place, highest scores from the Jurors and a 500 Euro Scholarship in the 2013 International Young Musicians Festival. Louis performed at Carnegie Hall on April 20th, 2013.

Louis Wei is the President of Vancouver Young Pianist Club and organizes numerous concerts, public and charity events. Louis is also an accomplished bassoon player and performs with the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Louis Wei Concert Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voESQP-KZq0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8vfreuwsXM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovcUmJiFa8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XsWKl6FDnc

About the Steinway Artist Program

For decades Steinway & Sons has cultivated special relationships with pianists from every genre. From classical pianists like Lang Lang, to jazz stars like Diana Krall, to pop icons like Billy Joel, to "immortals" like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Arthur Rubinstein — more than 1,600 artists make the Steinway their own.

Vancouver’s own Dianna Krall, Robert Silverman, Jane Coop, Eugene Skororodnikov and Louis Wei’s piano teacher Ian Parker have all achieved the Steinway Artist designation.

Steinway & Sons has always taken pride in its role of nurturing talent and promoting the art of piano playing. In that spirit, Steinway has developed the Young Steinway Artist Program in an effort to reach out to young pianists at an early point in burgeoning careers. Currently there are only 60 Young Steinway artists around the world. In Canada, there are only 2 including Louis Wei.

About Steinway & Sons

Since 1853 Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty and investment value. Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.

About Tom Lee Music Canada

Tom Lee Music has been bringing music making to the Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island communities since 1969. With 9 retail locations in the BC Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, Tom Lee Music is now one of the largest full-line musical instrument retailers in North America. Known for supporting the local music community, Tom Lee Music has received numerous awards in recognition of their dedication to music excellence and support of many community organizations. Tom Lee Music is the exclusive Steinway dealer in B.C. since 1978.
For more information, visit www.tomleemusic.ca

 

Find out more about Louis Wei:

Young Steinway Artist Being Interviewed by Global TV

 

The Vancouver Sun: 16-year-old Vancouver piano prodigy wins prestigious award