American Piano Awards
We promote and advance the careers of world-class young American pianists.

The Awards.
The American Piano Awards are a biennial concert series of the country’s premier jazz and classical pianists.
Join us for the 2027 Jazz Awards Season

Our Community
During each competition, finalists embed themselves in the Indianapolis community through concerts, educational partnerships, and their host families.
All five finalists complete a residency with a high school orchestra or jazz band – bringing music to new audiences and non-traditional venues and inspiring new generations of young musicians.
Meet Our Staff

Chris Williams

Leigh Ann Hirschman

Ryan Frick
Emily Hammer

Andrew Brown

Sam Stucky
Unforgettable piano experiences
Board of Directors
Leadership
Gregory W. Goelzer
Chair
CEO, Goelzer Investment Management, Inc.Brian S. Williams
Vice Chair
Managing Director, AccentureTom Buckley
Treasurer
Co-Founder, QumulexRebecca O'Connor
Secretary
Owner and Teacher, O’Connor Piano StudioDavid Pentzien, MS
Immediate Past Chair
Owner, Tap Ventures, LLC.
Members
Ezra Burdix
President and Owner, DTM Real Estate
Katasha S. Butler, PharmD, MBA
Medication Use/Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, Eskenazi Health
Robert P. Chan, VMD
Veterinarian (retired) and Community Leader
Alexandra R. French
Partner and Toxic Torts Co-Chair, Barnes & Thornburg
Chris Harrison
Registered Architect, Corgan Associates, Inc.
Christia Hicks
Chief Human Resources Officer, Eskenazi Health
Michael Huber
President, Indy Eleven
William B. Kleinman, MD
MD Physician and Founder, The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Eugene P. Kroeff, PhD
Founder, Managing Member, Gen Kro LLC
Debra Luffer-Atlas, PhD
Senior Vice President of Research, Eli Lilly and Company
Alicia McMahon
Music Educator and Content Creator
Brandon Smetana, MD
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Deborah Hearn Smith
CEO (retired), Girl Scouts of Central Indiana
Brian Steensland, PhD
Chair and Professor of Sociology, Indiana University
Carly J. Tebelman
Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Courts
Michael R. Tirman, JD
Partner, Honigman LLP
Stephen B. Towns, DDS
Periodontist, Sonrisa, A Periodontal Spa
Michael Wells
President, REI Investments, Inc.
Emeriti
Craig Gigax
President/Owner, Meridian Music
Carolyn S. Hardman
Community Leader
Janet Nine
Community Leader
Margaret Watanabe, MD, PhD
Physician and professor (retired), Indiana University School of Medicine
Meet our institutional and corporate partners
PartnersInterested in supporting the work we do?
Learn MoreUpcoming Events
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Jazz
Premiere Series: Connor Rohrer
November 14Learn More -
Jazz
Premiere Series: Brandon Goldberg
December 5Learn More -
Jazz
Premiere Series: Joe Block
January 23, 2027Learn More
















