Pianos on the Streets was envisioned and brought to life by Sean Pacey. His musical journey, paradoxically, began with his struggles at the piano. Despite his parents being accomplished pianists, Sean faced considerable challenges in mastering the instrument. However, his passion for music was undeterred, fuelled by his experiences at Pacey’s Pianos—a family business where he grew to appreciate the profound impact of music from a young age. Sean took over the management of Pacey’s Pianos in 2002, where he proudly initiated a piano donation program to support those in need.

In 2009, Sean established the Piano Teachers Federation, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting inspirational educators with the public and fostering a widespread curiosity for music. The organization thrived under his guidance, with Sean personally interviewing over 150 teachers and gathering feedback from more than 2,000 students and parents in its inaugural year, besides hosting over 100 recitals.

The foundation of the Pianos on the street in 2015 marked a significant expansion of his vision. Having previously experimented with outdoor pianos during his tenure as a director at the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, Sean was no stranger to the challenges and delights of public music displays. His ambition culminated in the placement of numerous pianos in outdoor locations across multiple cities, collaborating with hundreds of partners to make his dream a reality.

One of Sean’s proudest achievements came when his uncle, Mark Pacey, and artist Leslie Fehr were chosen to design and paint a piano for the Community Living Society in New Westminster—a testament to the project’s ability to blend community service with artistic expression.