Foundation Programs


McKee Piano Competition

Each year The Ross McKee Foundation produces a piano competition open to high school students. Up to four contestants are selected to be Ross McKee Young Artists. These laureates receive a prize of $1,500 and participate in a public recital.

Additional information is available on the Piano Competition page.


McKee Piano Scholarships

Scholarship funds are provided to the Community Music Center and to Bay Area summer programs such as Living Jazz’s Jazz Camp West and the Cazadero Music Camp. Recipients are selected by each individual institution; the Foundation does not award scholarships directly to individuals.


Piano Break

During 2020 and 2021, the Piano Break concert series supported Bay Area pianists who had lost performance opportunities due to COVID-19. They were compensated to produce recitals from their homes, and the recitals were “premiered” on the Ross McKee YouTube channel. Following the online premieres, audience members and the performer gathered for a Q&A session via Zoom.


Piano Talks

Conceived as a way to explore the depth and richness of the piano through the performance and discussion of its repertoire, the Piano Talks series has moved to an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous piano talks can be viewed at youtube.com/rossmckeefoundation.