HOW IT ALL BEGAN
AmateurPianists is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Glenn Kramer, with the vision of providing performance opportunities for amateur pianists of all professions, backgrounds, and skill levels. Since its formation, AmateurPianists has grown to over 2,000 Meetup members, including 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, lectures on performance practice, history of classical music, and much more.
One of our key events is the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. Since 2016, this competition has been held every three years, with the next competition planned for Summer 2028. With the addition of our non-competitive Festival portion, even more amateurs will now have the opportunity to play and be heard.
Classical music should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone. 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
Gerry Manecke — Secretary
Glenn Kramer — Director, Graphics
Jason Chen — Director
Helena Wei — Director
Past Directors
Yang Shen
Songqing Wen
Mark Chen
Gorden Cheng
Judy Cheng
Tavner Delcamp
Earlene Dunbar
John Evans
Susan Fairbrother
Tessa Heunis
Naomi Hobbs
Betty Ann Hoehn
Kyle Hohn
Lulu Hsu
Ava Payne
Dallas Plikuhn
Gary Poon
Galina Shekhtman
Rewa Colette Soltan
Howard Wang
Siyuan Zhou
Fred Zuill
Connie Almond