In 1996, master narrow-key piano builder David Steinbuhler installed a 5.5-inch octave keyboard in my acoustic grand piano. For someone like me—who can barely reach a standard octave—this changed everything.

​

I earned my ARCT and BMus with distinction by developing workarounds for my small hands. But the truth is, much of the repertoire I longed to play was literally out of reach. Loud or rapid octaves were painful. My hands were stretched to their limits, and each strike felt like an injury waiting to happen.

That all changed with narrow keys.

​

On narrow keys, I’m pain-free. I can still play a regular-sized keyboard when needed, but the tension returns. The reality is, I’ll never be able to comfortably reach a 9th on the standard 6.5-inch octave. On narrow keys, I feel free—able to play with expression, control, and strength I never had before.

​

Playing advanced repertoire once meant pushing through pain. In my twenties, I developed chronic wrist issues that required surgery. A cyst had formed inside the bones of my wrist and was pressing on a nerve. I was playing on the wrong size keyboard.

​

In 2005, I performed Rhapsody in Blue with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra on my narrow-key grand. It was a thrilling experience—something that simply wouldn’t have been possible on a standard-sized piano.

​

Now, with ATHENA, narrow keys are finally portable. I perform on them all the time—with joy, confidence, and power.

​

Bringing ATHENA to life has been more than a personal dream—it represents a turning point in piano design and performance. For the first time, pianists with smaller hands have access to a high-quality, professional instrument that truly fits their physiology.

 

ATHENA isn’t just a product; it’s a movement. We’re challenging a century-old standard and reimagining what’s possible at the keyboard—unlocking artistry, preventing injury, and creating equity in a field where too many have been left out simply because of hand size.