Lee University’s Dr. Vanessa Muen Wei has been nominated for the 2026 International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) in the Premier Recordings category for her solo album on Toccata Classics, “Nicodé: Piano Music, Vol. 1,” featuring the piano music of Jean Louis Nicodé.  
 
“Dr. Wei is a superb performing artist and deserving of this recognition,” said Dr. Randy Sheeks, dean of Lee’s School of Music. “Her musical performances are captivating.” 
 
The album was born in the pandemic after Wei’s discovery of Nicodé’s scores. She was “drawn to their color, imagination, and emotional honesty.” 
 
“I was surprised that such expressive music had almost completely been forgotten,” said Wei. “The more I studied the scores, the more I felt a sense of responsibility to bring this repertoire back to life. The album became a way for me to honor a composer whose voice deserved to be heard again.” 
 
The ICMA is recognized as one of the leading international awards in classical music, with nominations selected by a jury representing major European classical music media. This year’s shortlist includes major orchestras, opera houses, and internationally known artists.  
 
“This nomination means a great deal to me because it affirms a project that I created almost entirely on my own,” said Wei. “I selected the repertoire, recorded for long hours in the studio, edited deep into the night, and navigated every unexpected challenge along the way. To see this album recognized alongside projects by major artists and institutions is incredibly meaningful. It reminds me that even small, independent projects can make an impact when approached with sincerity and care.” 
 
Wei is a Steinway Artist and assistant professor of piano at Lee University, where she teaches applied piano, piano seminar, and chamber music, and directs the school’s Presidential Concert Series. Since joining Lee in 2021, she has expanded the piano studio and supervised students who have earned recognition in state and international competitions. Wei recently completed a two-year performance project featuring the complete Beethoven piano sonatas.  
 
She has appeared as a soloist with conductors including Ian Hobson, Donald Schleicher, and Zheng Xiaoying, and has performed chamber music with Lynn Harrell, Peter Lloyd, Ko Iwasaki, and Joel Smirnoff.  
 
Wei holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the China Conservatory of Music. 
 
For more information about the ICMA, visit icma-info.com/. 
 
For information on Wei, visit muenwei.com.