Elizabeth Joy Roe, the debut PianoArts winner in 1999, performing at 2004 PianoArts Gala. Photography: Lawrence D' Attilio PianoArts Music Director Andrews Sill taking a bow with PianoArtists Jie Chen and Michelle Naughton at 2007 Gala. Photography: Jennifer Kersten PianoArts presented its first competition in 1999 to identify, showcase and guide young pianists at a turning point in their artistic lives. But the seeds for the organization were planted in 1994, when a group of professional musicians met to discuss changing audiences for classical music and the preparation of young musicians for these audiences. They believed that the coming generation of performers needed to be able to both speak about and play their music convincingly. They were concerned about the lack of collaboration between pianists and orchestral musicians and believed that it is the responsibility of performing professionals to help young musicians prepare for careers in music. These seven visionaries –– Sue Medford, director of education for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Gretta Assaly, founder and director of Children’s Theatre School, Inc.; Audrey Baird, director of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Group Sales and Audience Relations; Lee Dougherty, pianist and vocalist; Stefanie Jacob, pianist and Wisconsin Conservatory of Music faculty; Judit Jaimes, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor of piano; and Wilanna Kalkhof, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra pianist –– created a competition that has since been instrumental in the growth of amazing young talent. When conductor and pianist Andrews Sill joined the group in 1997, plans for the first national competition began to take shape. The first competition was unlike any other. Contestants were asked to speak about their performance pieces. Before the competition, professionals coached each contestant in the techniques of speaking with audiences. Each contestant rehearsed and performed with professional musicians and three had the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra. Following the competition, each contestant received his or her evaluations through one-on-one private conferences with the judges. Since 1999, PianoArts programs and opportunities for young musicians have greatly expanded, but the philosophy remains the same, to develop innovative programs, performed by exceptional young musicians, that will excite 21st century audiences and ensure the place of classical music into the future.