Our Impact
Our Projects
From university partnerships to international competitions, discover how the DS Standard Foundation is changing the landscape of piano education.
A Short History
Pioneering Change
In 1996 Linda Gould was the first to purchase a DS Keyboard. Her video “My Piano Has a Secret” powerfully describes the crying need for alternative keyboards to be adopted in the world of the piano.
In 2000 Dr. Carol Leone at SMU Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas was the first to study the practicality of using alternative size keyboards in a university setting.
Universities such as Texas Tech University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have collectively purchased many DS Keyboards, and today the movement continues to grow globally.
Loans of DS Keyboards
Universities and music schools are invited to apply to the DS Standard Foundation to borrow a DS Keyboard for up to 12 months and have the option to purchase the DS Keyboard at any time.
Priority Given To Institutions With:
- Support from the piano faculty
- Administrative backing
- A committed piano technician
Universities Actively Working with DS Keyboards
SMU Meadows School of the Arts
Dallas
Carol Leone – Chair and Professor of Piano
University of North Texas
Denton
Pamela Mia Paul – Professor of Piano
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison
Jessica Johnson – Professor of Piano
Salem College
Winston-Salem
Barbara Lister-Sink – Professor of Piano
St. Olaf College
Northfield
Kathryn Ananda-Owens – Chair of the Music Department
San Diego State University
San Diego
Tina Chong – Assistant Professor of Piano
Ohio University
Athens
Chris Purdy RPT – Head Technician
Booker T. Washington High School
Dallas
Leonardo Zuno Fernandez
Appalachian State University
Boone
Catherine Garner – Keyboard Area Coordinator
University of Memphis
Memphis
Artina McCain – Associate Professor of Piano
Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
Baltimore
Kris Chesky – Chair Performing Arts & Health
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder
Jennifer Hayghe – Chair and Associate Professor
Universities Currently Studying DS Keyboards on Loan
University of Montreal
Justine Pelletier – guest Professor of Piano
Eastman School of Music
Rochester
Alan Chow – Chair of Piano
Stanford University
Elizabeth Schumann – Assistant Professor of Piano
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction
Kathryn Mientka – guest Professor of Piano
Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians Medicine
Hannover, Germany
Florian Worschech – Postdoctoral Researcher
Universities Supporting Student Research
University of Auckland
Camila de Oliveira
Shenandoah Conservatory
Winchester
Sarah Morris
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Ceren Su Sahin
University of Cape Town
Leah Williams
“Since the life-changing moment I started practicing and performing on an alternatively-sized piano keyboard, I experienced a whole new level of artistic and technical freedom. The DS Standard keyboards offer all musicians, regardless of hand-span, the opportunity to focus on what matters most: making music with ease, imagination and joy.”
Dr. Jessica Johnson
Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Supporting Competitions
The DS Standard Foundation will consider supporting any competition that allows contestants to compete on DS Standard sized keyboards.
From 2014 to 2016 the Foundation supported the Dallas International Piano Competition by contributing to keyboard preparation. This competition was the first in the world to provide DS5.0 and DS6.0 keyboards for contestants.
Anna R. Arazi's Story
In March 2015, Anna arrived at the Dallas International Piano Competition and had never played on a smaller keyboard before. She immediately took to the DS6.0 size. By the end of the competition, she won 3rd place prize and the pain in her arms had completely disappeared!
Showcasing DS Keyboards
The Foundation has supported the promotion of Dr Carol Leone's CD:Change of Keys: One piano, three keyboards through MSR Classics. As a result the CD received much media exposure and airplay.
Pianodrome is a Scottish company that builds amphitheaters as small entertainment venues. Their “Royal Pianodrome” provides the opportunity for pianists to experience DS Keyboards.
Want to Partner With Us?
Whether you're an educational institution, competition organizer, or researcher, we'd love to hear from you.