Painted in 2012 for the Cleveland Piano Competition’s PLAY Initiative and residing in the lobby of our University Circle campus, this piano artwork highlights people and stories connected to The Music Settlement (TMS). The images and names referenced on the piano point to the organization’s founders, instructors, students, and community partners, offering some history of the school’s legacy and impact in Cleveland. 

Side Panel Left 

• The left side panel honors Almeda Adams, the foundress of The Music Settlement. Her leadership and vision helped establish an organization dedicated to music education and community enrichment. Click here to learn more. 
• The panel also references Adella Prentis Hughes, a significant figure in Cleveland’s musical life whose work helped shape the city’s arts culture. Click here to learn more.

Side Panel Right 

The right side panel highlights a range of individuals associated with TMS.  

• Harry Barnoff - a bass instructor who taught for 40 years and also performed as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra.  

• Tracy Chapman - a former TMS music student. Click here to learn more.

• A “Mystery Cello Man” is listed as well 

• Ida Mercer - a long-time cello instructor and board member. Click here to learn more. 

• Linda Allen - a longtime piano instructor, accompanist, and CFM administrator at TMS —46 years as of 2025. Click here to learn more. 

• Praxton Smtih - a CFM student, click here to learn more. 

• A jazz group, possibly Hubbs Groove—capturing the broader ensemble and community spirit surrounding TMS. 

Face Board (Left to Right) 

• A Mystery Cellist 

• Arnold Steinbradt — strings instructor and assistant concertmaster in the Cleveland Orchestra. Click here to learn more. 

• Lester Glick — Click here to learn more.

• Josef Gingold — concertmaster and first violin in the Cleveland Orchestra; contributed to TMS through master classes. Click here to learn more.

• Howard Whittaker (central figure) — TMS President for 35 years and member of the Cleveland Composers Guild. Click here to learn more.

• Dick Kaufmann — instrumental in initiating Music Therapy as a center. Click here to learn more.

• Louise Steele Markland — establishing director of Music Therapy and long-time music therapist. She became the first Director of Music Therapy for the newly established Department of Music Therapy in September 1966. Under her leadership, the department became the first community-based music therapy program in the country, the first to offer a community-based music therapy internship program, and the first to contract with medical, educational, and social service organizations to provide music therapy services. In 2002, the American Music Therapy Association presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She stepped down as Director in 2003 after 36 years of service to The Music Settlement. 

• Dorothy Hummel Havorka — long-time TMS board member; credited in connection with There Shall Be Music, a book about The Music Settlement. 

• Sylvia Easley — second Director of EC. Initially hired as a teacher in 1965, became Director around 1968, and continued in that role until 2011. She is described as a guiding force behind a program designed to foster a child’s total development while providing a love of life and learning. Click here to learn more.