Steinway Society Spring May 2026 Concert Was a Tribute to Late Board Members

The Steinway Society's spring 2026 concert, featuring Steinway Artist Carol Stein and talented students, was a tribute to late Board members Vice Presidents Walter Kovshik and Brenda March. Speakers who presented tributes included Gary and Kathy Grimes, Commissioner Patti Sheehan, Charles March, Lisa Buck and Robert Swedberg, former general director Orlando Opera. Pianos, funded by Helpful Hands, were awarded to promising students.

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WALTER KOVSHIK 1955-2025

     Steinway Society board member Walter Kovshik served as vice president and fundraising consultant from 2007 to 2025, earning the Society some million dollars in grants including from United Arts, Orlando Magic, Disney, Helpful Hands, State of Florida, Victory Cup, Seminole County Arts Council and the NEA. He studied music at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and Indiana University and received his MBA in arts management.  He initially worked with the Miami Grand Opera, and, since 1985, with arts groups in Orlando where he led over 12 fundraising campaigns for the United Arts of Central Florida. “His success raising money for the Orlando Opera is astonishing,” said Robert Swedberg, former general director of the opera, “He was a brilliant pianist and one of the finest in the country,”

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BRENDA MARCH 1963-2025

   Brenda March, Steinway Society vice president, served in many leadership roles for the City of Orlando over 30 years. They included planning and development, neighborhood services, community and youth services in the Mayor’s Office; manager of children in education at Parramore Kids Zone; in Families Parks and Recreation; and more. She was key in implementing new home owners’ associations, including in West Lakes. She was born in Orlando and received degrees from Valencia College and Kettering Foundation for Public Policy. In 2018 she was acknowledged as one ofONYXmagazine’s “Women on the Move” andOrlando Magazine’s“Women of the Year”.