 With each stroke of the key, Newton resident and Steinway artist Michael Lewin delighted an excited crowd at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in Newton, which broke in its brand new Steinway piano. The inaugural performance on the Steinway was a benefit that will help fund future programming at the center. We have a new concert hall now in Newton because we have a great piano that's here and there really isn't another room or hall or church or facility that has beautiful acoustics and a gorgeous new piano. Lewin is internationally known for his gifted piano skills and boisterous playing style. The Newton native has performed in over 30 countries. Having a man with that kind of resume be the first to play on the new Steinway at the Scandinavian Cultural Center was a source of pride for Christina Mealy, the director of the center. It is an extremely generous gesture that Michael made to offer this benefit concert for us, so we're just very excited to celebrate with him and have such an accomplished musician to kick off the series. Lewin was in charge of selecting the specific piano and there was just something about it that made him know that it was the right one for the center. This one had a huge range but what you don't know is how it's going to sound in the room where it's going to be and I was so happy that it sounded so great in this room. It's perfect. It's a perfect piano for the space. While Lewin was fond of the piano, the audience was entranced by Lewin's playing. Extraordinary if you didn't see it personally, you couldn't imagine. Two hands were making this much music. Obviously an enormously talented audience. Residents in Newton also believe that the piano will have a positive impact for arts and culture in Newton. It'll make a big difference to all their performances and will increase actually the number of people who will want to both perform at what's called the center. Now that the Scandinavian Cultural Center has a brand new Steinway right here in Newton, expecting an infusion of arts and culture that will captivate the Newton community.