We Share Music. We Share Experience. We Share Opportunity.
37 live, free concerts • 1,000+ older adults reached • 10 senior communities • 100+ performance items redistributed
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. We bring high-quality live musical experiences to older adults, including residents in memory-care communities, creating opportunities for joy, engagement, and intergenerational connection. 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
Pianist Eric Wang, 15, is a Merit Scholar at the Music Institute of Chicago, where he studies with Dr. Matt Hagle. He founded Music Ambassadors in 2022 after beginning to perform for residents of senior communities. What started with a single concert grew as Eric returned again and again. Along the way, he began to see music differently: not only as something to perform, but as a way to reach people, spark memories, and create connections across generations. Those experiences eventually inspired him to expand Music Ambassadors into Keys to Connection, through which young musicians share their talents, experiences, and resources to strengthen both the musical community and the broader community.
As a pianist, Eric has received awards in numerous state, national, and international competitions. He won the MTNA Illinois State Piano Competition in consecutive years, first in the Junior Division and then in the Senior Division. He is also a two-time winner of the Walgreens National Concerto Competition Junior Division and a first-prize winner of the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, Society of American Musicians Competition, and Bach with a View International Competition. Additionally, Eric has earned prizes in the Chicago International Music Competition, Franz Schubert International Competition, Steinway Piano Competition, ISMTA Competition, and DePaul Concerto Competition, among others.
Eric has appeared as a soloist with orchestra and has performed in masterclasses for internationally recognized pianists and teachers. In the summer of 2026, he participated in the Vivace International Music Festival and Bay PianoFest, studying with distinguished artists from around the country.
Through Keys to Connection, Eric hopes to help young musicians use their skills not only to grow as artists, but also to create joy, dignity, and meaningful human connection in their communities.
Helena Sprajcer
Co-founder and Director of Marketing
Pianist Helena Sprajcer, 14, is a student at the Music Institute of Chicago. 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
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.
