The Founder

Shortly after the purchase of his Bosendorfer 280 Vienna Concert Series concert grand piano, Ken realized that he had a unique instrument, one that deserved to be played by pianists at the highest level and to be heard by many more music lovers than just himself. From that realization, the idea for the Chapel Hill Piano Salon was born.

Originally from Seattle, Ken is part of a musical family in which all four of the children studied the piano and at least one other instrument during their formative years. He himself started to study the piano study at age five and violin and composition a few years later; especially gifted at the piano, he progressed rapidly and performed with the Seattle Symphony orchestra at the age of sixteen. Over the course of his adult life Ken became a nationally ranked tournament bridge player, and built successful careers in recruiting and real estate development. More recently, he returned to academia to earn his doctorate in Spanish literature and is now a published author and critic. Nevertheless, Ken’s passion for the piano has continued throughout his life.

In 2018, Ken accompanied his sister to a Seattle piano store to help her select a new piano, and as she perused the store, he began experimenting with some of the larger pianos. The manager directed him to a concert grand piano. Ken casually sat down, began to play, and was immediately astounded at the sound that the piano produced. He asked the manager what this piano was and was told that the piano – a new, limited edition, Bosendorfer 280 Vienna Concert series concert grand piano that combines Old World craftsmanship with modern technology – was considered by some of the world’s leading pianists to be the best piano in the world! The quality of the sound was so amazing that Ken could not believe his ears. He returned to the store the following day, played the piano for three hours without stopping, and finally found the piano so irresistible that he purchased it.

Prior to his acquisition of the instrument, Ken had already returned to studying the piano in a serious and focused way. With the Bosendorfer 280VC now in his home, he realized that this unique piano and his oversized living room were the perfect combination for home concerts. At that moment, he decided to create the Chapel Hill Piano Salon, so that he could share this magnificent instrument through offering great piano performances to the community. The intimate home concerts that resulted afford Ken the opportunity to host top-tier talent and enable his audience and him to personally enter into the rarefied world of concert pianists in a way that is impossible for concert-goers in general. For the last two years, the Chapel Hill Piano Salon been creating unique and inspiring experiences for the guests who have the privilege to attend these concerts.