Honens International Piano Competition appoints CEO

Calgary-based piano competition, Honens, has announced the appointment of arts administrator John Kieser to the role of president and CEO. Effective from July 2023, Kieser succeeds acting president and CEO Amanda Smith who has held the role since November 2022.

Kieser will be moving with his spouse to Calgary from Germany where he is currently the director of partnerships for classical music streaming app IDAGIO as well as holding the role of media consultant for Miami-based concert hall and music school the New World Symphony. Kieser will work closely with artistic directorJon Kimura Parker as well as with Smith, who will stay with Honens as diector of marketing and communications. The new CEO joins Honens in time to support its programme of summer events culminating in the Honens Festival from 7 to 10 September.

Canada-born Keiser said: ‘After living abroad for many years, I could not imagine a better homecoming than Honens and Calgary. This forward-thinking piano competition has set new standards of excellence and I look forward to a journey with them to even greater heights. Together we will advance the mission, vision, and values of this prestigious organization while serving communities in Calgary, nationally, and internationally on a journey to the next level.’

Bringing with him a wealth of experience, Keiser’s previous roles include executive vice president and provost for the New World Symphony, general manager of the San Francisco. While at the San Francisco Symphony he created SFS Media, the first audio/video label created by an American orchestra, which earned a Grammy© nomination for Best Orchestral Performance. He also led the development of experimental venue SoundBox.

Founded in 1991 with an endowment from Calgary native Esther Honens, the Honens International Piano Competition takes place every three years. Designed to prepares laureates for their professional careers the company aims to create opportunities for development and exposure, such as the annual Honens Festival.