David Oei (surname pronounced "Wee" in Hokkien, born 1950) is a Hong Kong-born American classical pianist.

Early life and education

Oei was born in Hong Kong and started performing aged four. By the age of nine he had performed with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded eleven first prizes at the Hong Kong Music Festival. He attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts music camp for five years and won five concerto competitions there. In 1964, aged 13, he performed Piano Concerto No. 20 (Mozart) with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; a reviewer wrote: Oei attended the Peabody Institute and the Juilliard School. Other awards include WQXR Young Artists, Young Musicians Foundation (1972), and Paul Ulanowsky Chamber Pianists competitions. He was a soloist in one of the Young People's Concerts conducted by Leonard Bernstein.

Career

Oei has been a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has performed at Carnegie Hall. He performed with Peter Schickele in The Intimate P. D. Q. Bach stage show. In 2015, he was teaching at Mannes School of Music in the preparatory section.

Sexual assault

In 2015, Oei was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old music student. He accepted his guilt and agreed a plea deal.

Personal life

Oei lives in New York City with his wife, the violinist Eriko Sato.

Discography