Support the Future of Music at Pianofest
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Described as “The Magic Keys of Pianofest,” “not to be missed,” and “an over-the-top sensation” by The Southampton Press, Dan’s Papers, and The East Hampton Star, Pianofest in the Hamptons continues to enchant audiences with its exceptional performances.
Now entering its 37th season, Pianofest presented a series of six Monday concerts to near-capacity audiences at the Southampton Cultural Center. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our East Hampton offerings to four concerts — a new milestone.
Pianofest creates a unique space where people from across the city, the region, and the world come together in the Hamptons to celebrate the art of piano. Our gifted students, distinguished faculty, and enthusiastic audiences interact to form a creative and vibrant musical community. With Pianofest’s near-record level of applicants from all over the world, aspiring pianists bring their youthful energy, intensity, and idealism to the East End. At the bottom of this email, you’ll find a celebration of recent accomplishments by our distinguished alumni.
Every Pianofest artist receives scholarship support, thanks to donors like you. Your generosity allows us the freedom to focus on the educational purpose of our festival. As a result, we can look forward to enjoying the artistry of our young pianists.
Additionally, we continue to subsidize low ticket prices to ensure our concerts remain accessible to all, offering free admission for children and students.
As the winter holidays approach, we warmly invite you to consider making a year-end gift to Pianofest. Your assistance helps ensure a bright future for piano classical music and our inspiring young musicians.
Thank you for being part of the Pianofest family.
Yours most sincerely,
Paul Schenly, Director |
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 Featured Performance by Clayton Stephenson,
Pianofest’s 2024 Visiting Scholar
Watch his performance of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini at our opening concert from this summer. Clayton has performed with the New York Philharmonic and just last month appeared with an orchestra in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium.
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 How to Give
As a 501c3 nonprofit, contributions to Pianofest are 100% tax-deductible. You are welcome to make your gift online by visiting our website or by mailing a check to:
Pianofest
P.O. Box 639
Hudson, OH 44236
Key Giving Guidelines
- Year-End Giving: Ensure contributions are postmarked by December 31, 2024, to be credited for the current tax year.
- IRA Contributions: If you’re over 70½, consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to Pianofest. This can reduce your taxable income and satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Ensure checks are made directly to Pianofest and received by December 31.
- Gifts of Stock: Donations of appreciated securities offer significant tax benefits. Ensure execution before the stock markets close on Tuesday, December 31. Begin arrangements at least a week in advance due to holiday closures.
Consult your tax advisor to determine the best giving strategy for your circumstances. For more information or inquiries about Pianofest, please contact Noah Hardaway at (979) 203-5879 or via email at noahpianofest@gmail.com |
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 Alumni Spotlight
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Michelle Cann ’05
Michelle Cann, who first attended Pianofest in 2005 and is now a faculty member, won a GRAMMY® Award last year and has been nominated for another. Her achievements inspire our current students and uphold the high standards of Pianofest.
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Orion Weiss
A longtime Pianofest alumnus and 2023 faculty member, Orion performed with The Cleveland Orchestra on short notice last month, playing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto alongside acclaimed violinist Augustin Hadelich and cellist Julia Hagen. This performance is part of an all-Beethoven cycle featuring world-renowned pianists like Garrick Ohlsson, Sir Stephen Hough, and global sensation Yunchan Lim.
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Jialin Yao ’23
Jialin Yao is on a remarkable winning streak: in the last six months, he has secured prizes at three international competitions and performed with orchestras across three continents, including the Beijing Symphony Orchestra.
- 1st Prize: Fou T’song Piano Competition – Played Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3 at Jordan Hall, Boston
- 2nd Prize & Best Chamber Music Prize: Inaugural Málaga City International Piano Competition
- President’s Award: 2024 Seattle International Piano Competition
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Leo Gevisser ’22
Last month at the Orléans International Piano Competition in France, Leo Gevisser won 2nd Prize, the Public Prize, the Elliott Carter Prize, and the Dutilleux Residency Prize. He is currently touring South Africa, performing concertos with the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.
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