Steven O. Kinchen
President / Co-Owner
Steve@hallpiano.com
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 1990
Steinway Factory Training:
Retail Sales Professional Bachelor’s
Retail Sales Professional Master’s
Retail Management Bachelor’s
Degrees Held:
W.S.U. Bachelor’s
W.S.U. Master’s
Steve joined Hall Piano Company in 1990 with the goal of developing the electronic musical instrument department. Building on his experience with world-renown composer and electronic music pioneer Dr. Stephen Dankner. Steve successfully formed strategic alliances with the top electronic musical instrument manufacturer in the world, Kurzweil Music Systems. Having been recognized by Kurzweil Music Systems as a top ten dealer numerous times, Steve has also been the recipient of countless sales and service awards throughout his career.
“I began my career in the Music industry as many of my colleagues, simply working my way through college. Little did I know then that a great love affair for this industry would develop and take such firm hold of me that I now can not envision myself doing anything else in the world.”
Steve’s success in the keyboard industry was mirrored in the piano industry as well in the late 1990’s through today. Steve’s leadership resulted in Hall Piano Company being recognized in 2003 as a Top Ten Dealer for the world’s largest piano manufacturer, Young Chang and in 2007, being awarded the highly coveted Steinway & Sons Partners in Performance Award.
“The true measure of our success as I see it is our partnership with the worlds’ most respected piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons. The commitment that John Wright and I have made not only to our staff and business, but also to service in our community, led us in the natural direction of being singled out in the state of Louisiana as the premier piano dealer. This distinction was consummated on September 14th, 2004 as our Steinway dealership appointment was finalized.”
Steve is a graduate of New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York on full scholarship as one of four George Eastman Scholars for his entering class and has studied with many great artists such as Dr. Stephen Dankner, James VanDemark, Ellis Marsallis, Harold Batiste, Stephen Weiss, Delfayo Marsallis, Emily O’Bannon, and Dr. Bert Braud. Steve’s numerous awards include the prestigious Rene Louapre Award for outstanding musicianship.
With all of the responsibilities of a business owner, Steve also still finds time to be active in his local church body where he has served as music director since 1997. His versatility as a musician means that you are just as likely to see him playing piano as bass or guitar.
“As a native New Orleanian, I can say that I have never been more excited about the possibilities for the future of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. We are proud to be an integral part of the rebirth of our great American city.”
Married since 1995 to his wife Gina, Steve is a devoted husband and father of three sons and one daughter, all of which show an active interest in Hall Piano Company and the piano business.
John D. Wright, Jr
Vice-President / Co-Owner
Service / Restoration / Customer Fulfillment Director
john@hallpiano.com
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 1959
Steinway Factory Training:
Factory Orientation
Retail Sales Professional
Reatil Sales Bachelor’s
Retail Management Bachelor’s
Degrees Held:
W.S.U. Bachelor’s
Growing up in a family business can sometimes be a challenge, however, John Jr. has always had a passion for the business that his father co-founded in 1958. John Jr. has spent most of his life pursuing excellence in learning every aspect of the piano business. Through his career he has served in every capacity associated with running a successful piano sales and service organization, from delivery manager, to refinisher, to piano rebuilder.
John’s factory training is extensive and includes training at Steinway’s factory in New York, the PianoDisc factory in Sacramento California, and the QRS factory in Seneca PA.
Dwight Clements
Product Specialist
Sales and Service
dwight@hallpiano.com
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2003
Steinway Factory Training:
Factory Orientation
Retail Sales Professional
Dwight joined the Hall Piano Company team in 2003 bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the retail music business. His extensive product knowledge and unique ability to assist his clients in selecting exactly the right piano makes Mr. Clements a very valuable resource for first time piano shoppers.
With over 30 years experience as a musician / director of music for Nativity of Our Lord Church, Dwight’s talents can be enjoyed weekly at Vineyard Christian New Orleans (VCNO) in Kenner, Louisiana. He has also done studio work and has played for several charity organizations in the New Orleans area. Dwight is a musician in the Shrine Jazz Band. He started playing with bands since his early teens. Dwight has been performing with show bands for over twenty-five years, including Dual Exhaust and currently performing with “Buddy Dees & The Cruisers” as Professor Phingers. He also does a great job of singing lead and back-up vocals.
You can see Dwight at the piano in the movie entitled “Just My Luck” starring Lindsey Lohan.