Keys to Connection is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building bridges between people through music. Our work centers on bringing high-quality, live musical experiences to older adults—particularly those facing cognitive challenges—and supporting their continued growth through free, personalized music lessons. By blending our expertise in music performance, cognitive health, and community care, we create meaningful moments that uplift the mind and spirit. Our programs foster intergenerational connection and extend the reach of music education by raising funds for schools and communities with limited access to the arts. Whether it’s a concert in a senior center or a violin placed in a child’s hands, our mission is to ensure that music remains a source of connection, healing, and hope.
ABOUT US
OUR TEAM
Eric Wang
Founder and Executive Director
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Pianist Eric Wang, 15, is a Merit Scholar at the Music Institute of Chicago, where he studies piano with Dr. Matt Hagle. Eric has won top prizes in many local, national, and international competitions. He won first place consecutively at the MTNA Illinois State Piano Competition (2024-2026) in both Junior and Senior divisions. He is also a two-time winner of the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, as well as a first-place winner in the Carmel Klavier International Competition, Society of American Musicians Competition, and Bach with a View International Competition. Additionally, Eric has earned prizes in the Franz Schubert International Competition, Steinway Piano Competition, ISMTA Competition, and DePaul Concerto Competition, among others.
Eric made his orchestral debut with the Chicago Arts Orchestra, performing as a soloist in both 2022 and 2023. He has also performed in masterclasses with renowned pianists and composers, including Alan Chow, Norman Krieger, Asaf Zohar, Reena Esmail, Silvia Wang, Marta Aznavoorian, and Geoff Deuce.
Eric is a freshman at New Trier High School. He enjoys participating in math competitions. He also studies the viola with Mrs. Brigitte Gray and enjoys golf.
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Helena Sprajcer
Co-founder and Director of Marketing ​
Pianist Helena Sprajcer, 14, is a piano student of Elaine Felder at the Music Institute of Chicago, where she also studies voice with Dorothy Jean Lloyd. Helena is a CAMTA, NSMTA, and NWSMTA Sonata Festival gold medalist; ISMTA North, Society of American Musicians, and Mozart with a View prize winner. She was a first place winner of the American Protégé Music Talent Competition Spring 2020, and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall in June 2022. Most recently, she was a First Prize winner of the 2025 Charleston International Virtuoso Music Competition and a First Prize winner of the Great Composers International Competition Best Debussy Performance in honor of the 163rd anniversary of the birth of Claude Debussy. She performed as a Young Steinway Artist at the Skokie Public Library in 2023. Some of her other interests include musical theatre and figure skating.
Brian Wu
Co-founder and Director of Outreach
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Brian Wu, a seventh grader at Twin Groves Middle School, began his piano journey at age five under the guidance of Dr. Yelena Balabanova. He now continues his studies with Dr. Matt Hagle at the Music Institute of Chicago. Practicing, performing, and sharing music have become parts of his life.
Brian has earned top honors in numerous international competitions. In 2025, he won the First Grand Prize and the Nodar Gabunia Foundation Prize in the Professional Category of the Chicago International Music Competition. That same year, he received the Absolute Award in the Junior Solo and Senior Duet categories at the WPTA Finland International Piano Competition, as well as the Gold Prize (Solo) and Grand Prize (Duet) at the International French Music Piano Competition. He also won First Prize and was named a Top 15 Exceptional Performer at the 2025 International Piano Competition of Charleston Music.
In previous years, Brian won First Prize at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition (2023, 2024), the 2024 American Protege International Competition, the 2024 International German Music Competition, the 2024 Pacific International Piano Competition, and 2024 the American Music Talent Competition.
As a performer, Brian has appeared on stages such as Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall. With his brother and friends, they share relaxing and uplifting music within the community, frequently performing at senior centers and charity events.
