HOW IT ALL BEGAN
AmateurPianists is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 by Glenn Kramer to provide performance opportunities for amateur pianists of all professions, backgrounds, and skill levels. Since its formation, AmateurPianists has grown to over 2,000 Meetup members, which includes pianists and non-pianists alike. Performances are held at various venues—from recital halls and libraries to churches and private homes. The group also provides educational opportunities, such as masterclasses and lectures on performance practice, the history of classical music, and much more.
One of our key events is the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs—this competition is held every 3 years since 2016. Our next competition will be from June 24–26, 2022. With the addition of our non-competitive Festival portion, even more amateurs will an opportunity to play and be heard.
Classical music should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone, and AmateurPianists serves to facilitate this mission by connecting pianists with audiences.
Our Mission is fourfold: (1) to provide performance opportunities for adult amateur pianists of all professions and backgrounds, (2) to enable free access to piano music at recitals and other events for audience members of all ages and walks of life, (3) to offer learning opportunities through masterclasses and lectures, and (4) to host the San Diego International Piano Competition and Festival for Outstanding Amateurs.
Founder
Glenn Kramer
Board of Directors
Sonya Schumann — Chair
Keith Weibrecht — Treasurer
Dallas Plikuhn — Secretary
Glenn Kramer — Director, Graphics
Yang Shen — Director, Technology
Songqing Wen — Director
Lulu Hsu — Director
Jason Chen — Director
Past Directors
Mark Chen
Gorden Cheng
Judy Cheng
Tavner Delcamp
Earlene Dunbar
John Evans
Susan Fairbrother
Tessa Heunis
Naomi Hobbs
Betty Ann Hoehn
Kyle Hohn
Ava Payne
Gary Poon
Galina Shekhtman
Rewa Colette Soltan
Howard Wang
Siyuan Zhou
Fred Zuill
Connie Almond