In the summer of 1994, David Dumont, a Steinway & Sons dealer, and Billye Ericksen, a retired businesswoman, were inspired by an article in Lyra about a post-concert reception by the Atlanta Steinway Society. They recognized the need for a similar organization to enhance the classical music scene in the Bay Area. Over the following months, they developed a plan to secure local sponsorships and private donors. This led to the creation of Steinway Society – The Bay Area, with Tony Thomas as an advisor and permission from Steinway & Sons to use their name.

In the first two years, David and Billye hosted in-home concerts, which received enthusiastic support. They expanded the Board of Directors to include piano teachers Emilia Shvarts and Gerri Alexander and secured the Le Petit Trianon Theatre as a concert venue. Billye helped establish the organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1995.

To attract top pianists, they selected a Steinway Model B from Steinway Hall in New York, with support from Peter Goodrich and consent from Henry Z. Steinway to sign the piano’s plate. This piano was later sold to Keith Watt, who chose a Steinway D for use at the Trianon Theatre.

In 1997, Henry Schiro joined the board, later becoming President, while Barbara Day Turner became Artistic Director. Ellen Chen succeeded her in 1999, and Norval Nelson joined as Board President in 2001, with early advisors including Maestro Leonid Grin and his wife, Marina Gusak Grin.

At Steinway Society – The Bay Area’s beginning, David Dumont forged a relationship with the International Van Cliburn Piano Competition. As a result, we have presented many of its medalists and are one of the first organizations to present the newest gold medalist. We also bring critically acclaimed winners of prestigious international piano competitions, including the Tchaikovsky in Moscow, the Queen Elisabeth in Belgium, the Chopin in Poland, the Rubinstein in Israel, the Leeds in England, and the Honens in Canada.

For a list of Steinway Society – The Bay Area’s concerts over the years, click here.