DEERFIELD — The move from Taiwan to Deerfield 2½ years ago was difficult for Yu-Mei Wei and her family, but they have come to love their new home. The clan left a tropical city atmosphere but eventually learned to enjoy the small-town New England feel.
“I think the best part about this place is the people,” Wei said recently. “People are so friendly and warm and nice, and I think the community is very close.”
And Wei, a pianist and teacher of piano and chamber music at Deerfield Academy, believes a great way to show appreciation for her family’s adopted home is to share her love of music. That’s why Wei has agreed to participate in “The Brick Church” music series, concerts that bring people together at The First Church of Deerfield.
“I think it’s great to be part of the community and I’m very, very happy to be able to play in the valley,” she said.
The concert is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is a suggested donation of $10 to $20. A reception is slated to follow the concert.
Wei explained the show will consist of a 45-minute half and a roughly 40-minute half split by a 10-minute intermission. The first half will feature work by French composer Francis Poulenc, a Beethoven sonata, and “Chaconne” by Johann Sebastian Bach. The second half, Wei said, will be comprised of work by German composer Robert Schumann, two songs by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt and the music of American composer George Gershwin. The works will span from the 1600s to the 1900s.
Wei, the first Taiwanese musician to tour in Poland, started playing piano at age 6 and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in the United States, Europe and Taiwan. She is also a member of the Elm Street String Ensemble in addition to her job at Deerfield Academy. She has also taught at Taipei National University of the Arts, the University of Taipei and the Chihlee University of Technology.
According to Deerfield Academy’s website, Wei has won international piano competitions and has recorded five albums as a member of two chamber groups. She has also earned piano performance degrees from the University of Southern California and Indiana University.
Jean Pitman Turner, the artistic director of The Brick Church music series, learned of Wei’s talent after seeing her perform at Deerfield Academy.
“I was just thrilled with her musicianship,” Pitman Turner said. “When I heard her I said, ‘Well, she would be perfect for one of my concerts.’”
Wei and her three daughters also performed the music at one of the church’s services over the summer.
“I think they’re going to go far. They’re tremendous, the whole family,” Pitman Turner said. Wei’s husband, Paul Huang, teaches math and robotics at Eaglebrook School.
Call Pitman Turner at 413-774-2657 for more information.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.