Helen C. Chang

1937 - 2014

Chang, Helen C. (Hsiang)

Helen C. (Hsiang) Chang was born July 20, 1937 to Cheng-Tze Chiang and Edward Hsiang in Shanghai, China. The Hsiang family moved repeatedly during World War II and, in 1949, left the mainland for Taiwan. During these years, Helen learned to speak several Chinese dialects, including Mandarin, Shanghainese, and Cantonese. She distinguished herself and her family by being the top female high school student in Taiwan in her year. Her scores were so high that she was allowed to enter college without having to sit the national exam. After high school, she emigrated to the United States, graduating from Mount Mercy College in May, 1960, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in psychology. Her final year of coursework was done at Columbia University. Helen married Nai Lin Chang and moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where they remained to raise their family. As her children became involved in the musical community, she returned to her piano, an early love, and became a piano teacher. Helen first began teaching piano in 1972. She returned to school, graduating from the Lawrence Conservatory in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in piano pedagogy. She simultaneously obtained teaching certificates for the Suzuki method. Helen quickly became known for her creative approach to teaching, tailoring her method to each student's needs. Known as "Mrs. Chang" to her students, she maintained a private studio until 2014. During her 42 years as a teacher she taught over 300 area students, with some coming from as far away as Green Bay. Helen was a member of the Music Teachers National Association, the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, and the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Her students have earned many distinctions, including soloing with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, soloing for the WMTA teachers luncheon, and placing first at numerous state competitions. Several have gone on to make their careers in music.

Helen died peacefully on November 12, 2014 of multiple myeloma at Mayo Clinic.

She is survived by her husband, Nai Lin Chang; her daughters, Tai Deborah (Davis Terry), Huan Justina (Robert Stauffer), Lan Samantha (Robert Caputo), and Ling Patricia (Joseph Finnin); grandchildren (Rick, Will, Alden, Sophia, Justin, Antonia), and her brothers, Harry Hsiang (Nancy) and Henry Hsiang (Gladys). Her daughters will miss her for her drive and determination, wisdom, and sense of humor as well as her high standards.

A Memorial will be held Sunday, December 7, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. in the Nathan Marsh Pusey Room of the Warch Campus Center (Lawrence University) located at 711 E. Boldt Way with reception following. Parking will be available nearby in the Hurvis Center lot. Shuttle service will be provided for those who want it. Those who cannot attend may send comments by email which will be read to the group (hchang3@uic.edu). We will be sharing memories of Mrs. Chang at the reception. Please feel free to bring photos.