Our Mission
Piano By Nature was founded to bring professional and thought-provoking performances to the North Country and to make available creative educational programs to local area schools.

Our concerts are held in the historic Hand House parlor in Elizabethtown, New York. They have grown to include year-round solo and chamber music concerts, with performances highlighting lesser-known twentieth century works and unusual instrumental combinations. Our artists give particular attention to introducing and commenting on the works being performed and, after their performances, they often engage in lively and informative discussions with members of the audience.

We also work with other nonprofit organizations to promote the knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of live musical performances.
Hand House photo courtesy of M. Bartley

From our Artistic Director...

One day, out of the blue Katharine Preston of Essex, NY called me looking for a place to house a 1910 Mason and Hamlin grand piano. And suddenly, everything came in to place. Fifteen years ago in Fairbanks, Alaska I met up with a stunning Mason and Hamlin that I've never forgotten. And I had recently considered starting a music series in Westport, NY, only couldn't get past how I would obtain the most important part- a grand piano! So I asked Katharine to let me find a home for it.

I then began imagining a concert series around a piano I had never played. It began to feel like fate was intervening. Finding a year-round location proved to be challenging. The Mason needed a spot that wasn't too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. Thanks to fortune and friends, especially Carol Linder and the Crary Foundation, the Hand House in Elizabethtown was enthusiastically selected. And the piano proved to be a glorious instrument capable of raucous bass notes and angelic treble.

The series was indeed on its way. For the music, I expressly wanted to include pieces that would appeal to students. Quality piano performance that is fresh and unpretentious. Audiences hearing the piano paired with a wide variety of instruments, playing works that might get their toes tapping. Fun with classical music. Educational outreach and projects within area schools. Yes. And all definitely happening in the Fall and Winter months, because that is when the snow flies around here. Concert music to keep you warm and make you smile.

Rose Chancler Feinbloom

I want to give a big thank you to Katharine Preston, the folks at the Crary Foundation, especially Mary Bell, the board members of Piano By Nature (Carol Linder, Nancy Fink, Kalora Finucane, Rob DeMuro), Laura Sells-Doyle, Penelope Mace, Cali Brooks, Bill Finucane, Elaine McGoldrick, Dan Linder, and all our advisors and family members. And especially my husband Steve, for all of his help and patience.

What a great community we live in- none of this could happen without you all!

Our Board
PBN is pleased to announce the addition of four members to its board: Breda Bramich, Nicky Bryant, David Lartaud, and Barbara Lewis. We look forward to working with these highly accomplished people, and will continue to present concerts and educational outreach representing the very best the North Country has to offer.

Rob Demuro MD - President
Rob joins the PBN board with the desire to see continued growth of the arts in Essex County. He is a board certified Internist employed at the Elizabethtown Community Health Center. Rob is involved in the development of various aspects of Essex County such as serving on the board of Samaritan Family Counseling in Keene and aiding in the rehabilitation of The Deers Head Restaurant in Elizabethtown.

Rose Chancler Feinbloom - Artistic Director
Rose is a frequent performer throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, making appearances equally as soloist, collaborative artist, and teacher. She has played concertos and solo recitals in Alaska, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. Concerts this summer include solo piano recitals in Elizabethtown and Essex, New York, several concerts on harpsichord with the Summer Baroque Ensemble, and four concert appearances on the Piano By Nature series. She particularly enjoys collaborating with other musicians, and has played chamber music performances with notable artists including Paul Rosenthal, Jeffrey Solow, Harvey Pittel, Carol Wincenc, Joseph Wytko, and others. She has been an invited guest artist and teacher at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival and at Magisterra- the University of Iowa International Chamber Music Festival and Academy. Rose has a recent release on the Centaur label with double-bassist Volkan Orhon of violin and cello masterworks. The duo is continuing work on a follow-up CD scheduled for release sometime in 2009.

Rose has held teaching positions at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the Baylor University School of Music, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and the University of Iowa School of Music. She has been a faculty accompanist and coach at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, and the Meadowmount School of Music in Lewis, New York. She was most recently a faculty member at Plattsburgh State University of New York, and currently runs a private studio in her home in Wadhams. Rose holds a bachelor's degree in piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin, and master's and doctoral degrees in piano performance and literature from the Eastman School in Rochester, N.Y.

Nancy Fink - Secretary
Nancy has extensive experience in program development and administrative grant writing and evaluation. After two years of piano lessons, she enjoys listening to professional musicians even more.

Kalora Finucane - Treasurer
Kalora is a life-long resident of Essex County. She has been the accountant for the Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. since 1981. When she is not balancing books, she balances her life with creative pursuits like watercolor painting, beading, and supporting her daughter Anna in all her endeavors, including piano and theater.

Carol Danielson Linder - Vice President
Originally from the New York City area, Carol has raised her family in Westport. As a Public Health Nurse she has worked with families in every township in Essex County. Her violin has been by her side for many years - she enjoys playing in amateur groups and founded the Westport Chamber Ensemble and Simply Strings, a student mentor program at Westport Central School.