A Steinway grand piano rolls into a school. A virtuoso performs. And hundreds of lives are changed forever.
This is the Bachauer Foundation’s Piano Inspirato, a unique program that pairs world-class pianists with local schools. Since its inception in 1999, nearly half a million children have taken part.
“Bachauer offers our students a front-row seat to the artistry that has been achieved through talent, practice, and commitment.”
- Ben McAdams, former Salt Lake County Mayor
With music programs tragically scarce in public schools, Piano Inspirato is oftentimes many students’ first introduction to classical music. And when they hear the stunning acoustics of a Steinway grand piano as played by a virtuoso, it’s quite an introduction, indeed.
Naturally, this experience tends to pique the students’ interest, eliciting questions such as, “How many hours a day do you practice?” “How old were you when you began playing the piano?” “Who is your favorite composer?” “How do you memorize so much music?” “Why do you close your eyes when you play?”
“The more exposure our students get, the better listeners they become. It flows over to attention to their academic subjects.”
- Adam Eskelson, Salt Lake City School District Fine Arts Administrator
One student asked Bachauer Gold Medalist Stephen Beus, “How can you make the piano do that?” His answer: “I’ve been practicing everyday for more than 30 years. I love to practice the piano. Everyone should do something in life that they love enough so they enjoy working very hard at it every day. That is what you have to do to make it seem easy.”
We believe this vital program has the power to change lives by demonstrating what can be achieved through talent, practice, and commitment. And, more often than not, Piano Inspirato instills a desire in younger generations to seek out the elevating, life-changing effects of beautiful music. For more information, email us at info@bachauer.com or use the link below.
