From the moment the first notes rang out in July 2022, PianoFête has captured the imagination of music lovers on Vashon and beyond.

Now entering its fourth year, Vashon Center for the Arts’ signature summer concert series has grown into a full-fledged festival — one that promises not only musical brilliance but a joyful, one-of-a-kind experience that can only happen here.

This year, PianoFête, running Wednesday-Sunday, July 9–12, will once again transform the stage of the Katherine L. White Hall into a symphony of sound, sight, and shared celebration.

At its heart are two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos, each nearly nine feet long. These meticulously handcrafted masterpieces are elegant to behold, but when PianoFête’s four acclaimed pianists — Vyacheslav “Slava” Gryaznov (better known to islanders as simply “Slava”), Rexa Han, Konstantin Soukhovetski, and newcomer Daria Kiseleva — put their fingers the keys, they are astounding to hear.

Each evening offers a distinct musical journey: from rousing piano duos to eight-hand spectacles, from ballet-inspired suites to cinematic classics reimagined for piano and orchestra. This is not your traditional chamber concert: PianoFête is a festival that blends virtuosity with imagination and community with creativity.

From concept to concert

The spark for PianoFête came over coffee in 2021, when VCA Executive Director Allison Halstead Reid and Slava shared a vision for an anchor event that would “wow” audiences and invite them into the world of classical music.

Slava had long dreamed of a festival where multiple artists could experiment with duets, improvisation, and fresh interpretations—a kind of “Piano Madness,” as he called it. When Halstead Reid proposed the name PianoFête, drawing from the French word for celebration, the concept clicked.

Since that inaugural year, PianoFête has doubled in attendance, with nearly 1,000 tickets expected to be issued in 2025. What began as an ambitious idea has become a dynamic and beloved tradition.

Four nights, four stories

Each PianoFête concert tells its own story, curated by Slava and performed by rotating pairs and quartets of pianists:

July 9 kicks off with eight hands on the keys featuring Glinka’s “Ruslan and Ludmila” overture then followed by piano duos on Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Opuses 1 and 2, and more.

July 10 brings two pianos, eight hands to center stage with works by Slava, Holst, Saint-Saëns, and Smetana —arranged, of course, by Slava.

July 11’s concert, titled “Pianos Dancing Cheek to Cheek,” blends the fiery romance of Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons in Buenos Aires” with Ravel’s luminous “Daphnis et Chloé.” This evening entirely features Slava and Han together.

July 12 will deliver the Grand Finale, a cinematic celebration featuring arrangements from “Titanic,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Schindler’s List,” and scores from James Bond films — culminating in a jazz-infused suite by Russian composer Alexander Tsfasman. The finale features all four pianists joined by members of the Vashon Maury Chamber Orchestra, a powerful reminder of how this festival unites local and global talent.

More than a festival

PianoFête is more than four nights of spectacular music — it’s a residency, a community, and a creative incubator. Each year, the four pianists spend over a week on Vashon, rehearsing, exploring, and forming connections with islanders. If you walk into VCA during this time, you’re likely to hear music floating from every corner: a rehearsal on stage, a master class in the piano room, or impromptu four-hand practice in the Green Room.

Thanks to generous sponsors and grant funding, PianoFête continues to offer free admission to youth under 18, ensuring that the next generation experiences the joy and wonder of live classical performance. Equally inspiring are the free master classes offered to young piano students—giving them rare access to feedback and mentorship from top-tier professionals.

“We’ve created something truly special here,” said Halstead Reid. “What makes me proudest is how PianoFête brings classical music to youth in a way that is fresh, engaging, and unforgettable. Watching young audience members light up as four pianists share the stage — it’s magic.”

The FêtePass experience

For the most devoted fans, the FêtePass is the key to the full event. It includes tickets to all four concerts at a 25% discount, early seat selection, xclusive access to daily open rehearsals and an opening night champagne toast with the artists. Last year, more than 40% of attendees were FêtePass holders — proof of the community’s growing appetite for this immersive experience.

Community at the heart

None of this would be possible without the deep support of the island community, said Halstead Reid. From host families who open their homes to visiting artists, to the local musicians who share the stage, to the audience members who show up year after year, PianoFête is fueled by a collective passion for the arts.

“Vashon is not just a beautiful place to perform — it’s a place where music feels alive,” said Slava. “I’ve played in many cities, but there’s something different here. The people truly listen. They care. And that energy changes everything on stage.”

A Festival Unlike Any Other

What makes PianoFête unlike any other event on Vashon?

Perhaps it’s the unusual format — two pianos, four pianists, and the possibility for different combinations of players and pieces. Perhaps it’s the celebration of the piano itself and its remarkable range, by presenting classical masterpieces alongside contemporary gems and even original transcriptions of film scores. Or maybe it’s simply the alchemy that happens when world-class artists, an intimate venue, and an engaged community come together in a moment of great music and superb talent.

It’s not just a concert. It’s a celebration. A fête.

For tickets, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org. Youth are free but require a reservation.

Ian Bell is the marketing director of Vashon Center for the Arts.