The world’s only School of Piano Technology for the Blind, a homegrown Vancouver school and nonprofit agency, has a couple of special events planned for next week.
• On June 4, the school will hold an open house where the public can meet alumni, staff and students. Get a peek at this year’s dozen or so “Keys to the City” pianos — each lovingly restored by the school and then hand-painted by a local artist. They’ll be placed throughout the community for everybody to play and enjoy — whether you’re a studied pianist or you never touched a musical instrument before in your life — from Aug. 7 to 16. The open house runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the school, 2510 East Evergreen Blvd., in Vancouver. Light refreshments will be served.
• On June 5, the school will hold a commencement ceremony for its sole 2015 graduate, John Pastorius. Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will serve as commencement speaker. The commencement will be held at 4 p.m. in the Emil Fries Auditorium of the Washington State School for the Blind, 2214 E. 13th St.
Despite the fact that there’s just one graduate, executive director Cheri Martin said, the graduation event is going to be “really big,” with many special surprises and performances. The school has just six students, so a graduating class of one is not unusual, she said.
For more information, visit http://pianotuningschool.org.
