Helaine Zhao was born and raised in Irvine, California. She started piano lessons when she was four.
Helaine made her orchestral debut at the age of 10 as the winner of the SYMF Young Pianist Concerto Competition. She has a great passion for music and participated in numerous international, national, and regional performances and competitions. Helaine won Judges’ Distinction Award and 1st place in the American Protégé International Competition, The Global Great Composer Competition and the NYDYMC International Competition. Helaine has won top prizes at the OC Steinway Rising Star Piano Competition, Southwestern Youth Music Festival Piano Competition, OCSA Piano Festival Competition, CAPMT Concerto and Sonata competition, Concordia UKF Competition, Southern California Junior Bach Festival Competition, as well as California state-level Concerto and Solo Competitions of MTAC and MTNA.
Helaine is currently studying under Mr. Rufus Choi, and she is very grateful for the knowledge and inspiration he extended to her.
Helaine has a big heart for serving others. In her spare time, she organizes and regularly performs at several senior centers. Outside of music, Helaine enjoys reading books, writing, hiking with her family, and hanging out with friends.
1, Prelude and Fugue in G minor BWV 861 WTC Book I, J.S.Bach, 4'31""
2, Etude Tableaux Op.39 No.6 in A Minor ""Little Red Riding Hood"", Rachmaninoff, 2'56""
3, Piano Sonata No.11 in Bb Major, Op. 22 1st Movement Allegro con brio, Beethoven 6'15""
