Our Foundation
About Us
The DS Standard Foundation, Inc. was established as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA in 2018 and has been awarded 501(c)(3) status.
Our Mission
To set a standard for alternatively sized keyboards that is recognized globally, so that pianists, whether amateurs or professionals, may achieve their full musical potential while avoiding injury and perform with confidence anywhere in the world, knowing that a keyboard bearing the DS® logo will be the size with which they are familiar.
“Having the opportunity to perform and teach on DS keyboards for the last 20 years has been an incredible gift! To fearlessly approach any significant work in the repertoire, knowing that it is within your grasp and that you needn't fear injury has been a dream come true for me and for my students with smaller hand spans.”
Dr. Carol Leone
Chair of Piano Studies, Professor of Piano
SMU Meadows School of the Arts, Dallas, Texas
Our Purposes
Encourage Availability
To encourage the availability and use of alternatively sized keyboards using the DS Standard®
Raise Awareness
To raise awareness of the possibilities for accomplishment that the various DS Standard® size keyboards offer
Assist Institutions
To assist educational institutions in the acquisition of DS Keyboards
Encourage Research
To encourage research related to the use of alternatively sized keyboards
“I cannot begin to describe the career-changing, and even life-changing, benefits our students have reaped from having these instruments to practice on daily. Their first response though was, 'Why did it take so long? Why did we have to suffer so unnecessarily?'”
Barbara Lister-Sink, Ed.D.
Salem College School of Music, Director, Graduate Music Program
Board of Directors
Leadership dedicated to making DS keyboards accessible worldwide
David Steinbuhler
President
Using his expertise in computer science and engineering, David has over the past three decades developed and perfected the ability to easily retrofit acoustic pianos with the highest quality alternatively sized keyboards. In May of 2018 David converted his manufacturing business, Steinbuhler & Company, into the non-profit DS Standard Foundation.
Dr. Barry Cressman
Secretary
A native of New York and an alumnus of William and Mary, the University of St. Andrews, and Princeton, Barry has devoted his entire career to building non-profit corporations and philanthropy.
Alex Steinbuhler
Treasurer
Grandson of the Foundation's founder, Alex has a strong commitment to carrying on the Foundation's manufacturing operations. Since 2016 Alex has worked building piano actions and acquired high level skills in all aspects of their manufacture.
Dr. Carol Leone
Board Member
Chair of Piano Studies and Professor of Piano at Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas. Considered today's leading performer, teacher, and researcher on alternatively sized piano keyboards for the benefit of pianists with smaller hand spans.
Rhonda Boyle
Board Member
An eager student of the piano since her childhood in Melbourne, Australia, and an environmental scientist with expertise in urban planning. In 2009 Rhonda was the first pianist in Australia to own and play a DS5.5® Keyboard.
Chase & Peter Steinbuhler
Board Members
Added in February 2025 to ensure the future of manufacturing operations. They manage a family-owned textile business that has been thriving in Titusville since 1897.
Impact Through Research
87%
of adult females are musically and technically limited by conventional keyboard size
24%
of adult males benefit from alternatively sized keyboards
100%
of young children are limited by standard keyboard size
Join Our Mission
Help us make alternatively sized keyboards accessible to pianists everywhere.