STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

PIANO SPHERES

Cite this

Plain text PIANO SPHERES. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://strategystudio.org/org/912106973. Retrieved 2026-10-20.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). PIANO SPHERES [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/912106973

MLA “PIANO SPHERES.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2020–2024, https://strategystudio.org/org/912106973. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-20; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $223K · expenses $190K · assets $69K

EIN
91-2106973
Address
4209 VIA ARBOLADA UNIT 231, LOS ANGELES, CA 90042-5095
Website
PianoSpheres.org
NTEE code
A68
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2001
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

Piano Spheres supports the composition and performance of major new works for the piano. They commission new music and sustain several concert series focusing primarily on music by living American composers. Piano Spheres artists also educate the next generation of pianists through their Emerging Artist Series and Stein Artist Residency.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

5 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Jeff Gauthier Executive Director2022-2024 $39,000$93,860 1
Heidi Lesemann Treasurer2022-2024 $12,000$32,380 2
Richard An Assistant Director2023-2024 $12,100$24,200 1
Thomas Welsh Associate Director2024 $16,100$16,100 1
Brandon J Rolle (former) Associate Director2023 $20,000$20,000 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

13 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Jess Morton President2020-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Mary Hannon Secretary2020-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Katherine Kotcheff Member2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Mark Saltzman Member2020-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Vicki Ray Member2024 1 $0 reported 1
Hunter Ochs Member2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Aron Kallay (former) Foundation Mgr.2022-2023 3 $0 reported 1
Catherine Uniack (former) Foundation Mgr.2020-2023 0 $0 reported 1
Karl Montevirgen (former) TREASURER2020-2022 3 $0 reported 1
Katherine Colbert (former) MEMBER2020-2022 3 $0 reported 1
Sarah Gibson (former) Member2020-2021 3 $0 reported 1
Latherine Colbert (former) Member2021 3 $0 reported 1
Thomas Kotcheff (former) Artist' Representative2020 3 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 10 people listed · 4 paid, $79K · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Jeff Gauthier Executive Director20 $39,000$0$0 $39,0001
Thomas Welsh Associate Director15 $16,100$0$0 $16,1001
Richard An Assistant Director5 $12,100$0$0 $12,1001
Heidi Lesemann Treasurer5 $12,000$0$0 $12,0002
Jess Morton President1 $0$0$0 $01
Mary Hannon Secretary1 $0$0$0 $01
Katherine Kotcheff Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Mark Saltzman Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Vicki Ray Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Hunter Ochs Member1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 11 people listed · 3 paid, $62K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JEFF GAUTHIER Executive Dir.20 $30,000-- $30,0001
Brandon J Rolle Associate Director0 $20,000-- $20,0001
Richard An Assistant Director0 $12,100-- $12,1001
JESS MORTON President5 $0-- $01
MARY HANNON Secretary3 $0-- $01
ARON KALLAY Foundation Mgr.3 $0-- $01
KATHERINE KOTCHEFF Foundation Mgr.3 $0-- $01
MARK SALTZMAN Foundation Mgr.3 $0-- $01
HEIDI LESEMANN Treasurer3 $0-- $02
Catherine Uniack Foundation Mgr.0 $0-- $01
Hunter Ochs Foundation Mgr.0 $0-- $01
2022 · 9 people listed · 2 paid, $45K · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JEFF GAUTHIER MEMBER ED EX-OFFICIO20 $24,860$0$0 $24,8601
HEIDI LESEMANN TREASURER EX-OFFICIO20 $20,380$0$0 $20,3802
JESS MORTON PRESIDENT5 $0$0$0 $01
MARY HANNON SECRETARY3 $0$0$0 $01
KARL MONTEVIRGEN TREASURER3 $0$0$0 $01
ARON KALLAY ARTISTS' REPRESENTATIVE3 $0$0$0 $01
KATHERINE COLBERT MEMBER3 $0$0$0 $01
MARK SALTZMAN MEMBER3 $0$0$0 $01
CATHERINE UNIACK MEMBER3 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Jess Morton President5 $0-$0 $01
Mary Hannon Secretary3 $0-$0 $01
Karl Montevirgen Treasurer3 $0-$0 $01
Sarah Gibson Member3 $0-$0 $01
Latherine Colbert Member3 $0-$0 $01
Mark Saltzman Member3 $0-$0 $01
Catherine Uniack Member3 $0-$0 $01
2020 · 8 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Jess Morton President5 $0-- $01
Mary Hannon Secretary3 $0-- $01
Karl Montevirgen Treasurer3 $0-- $01
Sarah Gibson Artists' Representative3 $0-- $01
Thomas Kotcheff Artist' Representative3 $0-- $01
Katherine Colbert Board Member3 $0-- $01
Mark Saltzman Board Member3 $0-- $01
Catherine Uniack Board Member3 $0-- $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2025-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$222,590$190,237 $68,737$60,438 $212,926$16,697 $67,2000-
2023 · Form 990EZ period ending 2024-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$124,335$181,243 $50,135$39,035 $116,234$8,001 ---
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2023-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$251,076$216,705 $99,643$98,068 $236,141$14,825 $0010
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2022-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$132,877$149,464 $73,324$63,697 $54,840$66,052 ---
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$181,042$134,257 $81,551$77,134 $180,062$866 ---

Funders of this organization

15 grantors reported grants to this organization, $242,934 in all, tax years 2014 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor Exact 2024 1$51,204 2024$51,204
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PERENCHIO FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2024 1$50,000 2024$50,000
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DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2016, 2018-2019, 2021-2023 6$41,900 2023$6,000
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CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2018, 2024 2$22,000 2024$15,000
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COLBURN FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2014, 2016 2$20,000 2016$10,000
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NEW MUSIC USA INC Public charity Exact 2021, 2024 2$17,000 2024$10,000
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MEDIATHE FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2020, 2022-2024 4$14,000 2024$4,000
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MID ATLANTIC ARTS INC Public charity Exact 2019 1$6,660 2019$6,660
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ANN AND GORDON GETTY FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2020 1$6,000 2020$6,000
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PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2023 1$5,749 2023$5,749
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THE AMPHION FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2024 1$4,000 2024$4,000
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AARON COPLAND FUND FOR MUSIC INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2022 1$3,000 2022$3,000
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LENORE S & BERNARD A GREENBERG FUND Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “Piano Spheres” 2024 1$1,000 2024$1,000
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J PAUL GETTY TRUST Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “Piano Spheres” 2016 1$400 2016$400
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AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “PIANO SPHERES” 2022-2023 2$21 2023$16
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Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
SAN DIEGO JAZZ VENTURES INCCAA68 $244,380$273,827 President$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
BRIGHTWORK NEWMUSICCAA68 $192,936$190,725 President and Artistic Director$13,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission
SONGFESTCAA68 $238,320$345,883 President$71,250 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SACRA PROFANACAA68 $195,801$208,482 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
YARLUNG ARTISTSCAA68 $169,600$25,662 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
CAMARADA INCCAA68 $356,020$377,418 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$72,750 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRACAA68 $329,744$403,330 Executive Dir.$45,078 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
NOONTIME CONCERTSCAA68 $342,759$407,088 Executive Director$114,301 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
CORONADO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRACAA68 $168,365$152,636 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SCHOLA CANTORUM INCCAA68 $189,819$192,771 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
VOICES OF MUSIC INCCAA68 $364,602$421,861 TRUSTEE$33,714 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
LOS ANGELES YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRACAA68 $313,251$297,455 President and Program Director$22,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
TAIKO COMMUNITY ALLIANCECAA68 $224,568$274,537 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$38,967 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
INTERNATIONAL HORN SOCIETYCAA68 $199,373$187,430 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$44,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SONA FOUNDATIONCAA68 $222,109$213,128 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
LAGUNA BEACH LIVECAA68 $167,702$172,545 CEO$42,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SOBRATO MURPHY MUSIC ASSOCIATIONCAA68 $258,706$247,690 CEO & BAND DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SLO JAZZ FESTIVAL INCCAA68 $142,529$132,829 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$22,200 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
INFINITE MUSIC FOUNDATIONCAA68 $313,134$148,386 Program Coordinator/Board Member$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
PENINSULA WOMENS CHORUSCAA68 $179,924$241,061 President$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
FRESNO COMMUNITY CHORUS INCCAA68 $186,945$164,143 President$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SEASUN THEATRE ARTIST GROUPCAA68 $339,698$441,984 DIRECTOR$4,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
SAN DIEGO WINDSCAA68 $170,022$155,308 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
MARIN COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOLCAA68 $186,773$187,441 Secretary$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
MCCRARY MUSIC FOUNDATIONCAA68 $162,214$142,132 Secretary$21,500 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$1,831,95986 262014–2024 JAZZ AT THE BALLROOM INC; SCHOLA CANTORUM INC; ENVELOP; CANTATA COLLECTIVE INC and 22 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC funds this one DAF sponsor$1,388,44847 182019–2024 FOLSOM CULTURAL CENTER; SOBRATO MURPHY MUSIC ASSOCIATION; PHILADELPHIA GAY MENS CHORUS INCORPORATED; ISING COMMUNITY CHOIR and 14 more
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$1,092,91854 242016–2024 HAUSMANN QUARTET FOUNDATION; SONOMA BACH; CLASSICAL ARMENIA; JAZZ AT THE BALLROOM INC and 20 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$656,38824 42010–2023 SCHOLA CANTORUM INC; JAZZ AT THE BALLROOM INC; MUSIC AT KOHL MANSION INC; PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$611,73420 52011–2024 MID-CITY COMMUNITY MUSIC; LITTLE VILLAGE FOUNDATION; CAMARADA INC; SAN DIEGO WINDS and 1 more
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$508,68317 72016–2024 KALEIDOSCOPE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA; MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS INC; GRATEFUL GUITARS FOUNDATION; NEW AMSTERDAM PRESENTS INC and 3 more
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$450,26621 82018–2024 REUNITE CULTURES FUND; DAVID Z FOUNDATION; AMERICAN COMPOSERS ALLIANCE; VOICES OF MUSIC INC and 4 more
JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF S F MARIN PENINSULA & SONOMA COUNTIES DAF sponsor$434,19916 42009–2024 SONOMA BACH; NEW AMSTERDAM PRESENTS INC; MUSIC AT KOHL MANSION INC; LITTLE VILLAGE FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MONTEREY COUNTY DAF sponsor$405,1379 22010–2016 CARMEL MUSIC SOCIETY; CHAMBER MUSIC MONTEREY BAY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN DAF sponsor$385,1008 32020–2024 GLOBAL ARTS CORPORATION; ARTIST ADVOCACY FOUNDATION INC; DETROIT PERFORMING ARTISTS INC
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO DAF sponsor$354,00011 32015–2024 SAN DIEGO JAZZ VENTURES INC; HAUSMANN QUARTET FOUNDATION; CORONADO PROMENADE CONCERTS
MEJIA MUNIZ GUND FOUNDATION Private foundation$292,2508 12018–2024 MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor$287,00016 62020–2024 MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS INC; VOICES OF MUSIC INC; SACRA PROFANA; PHILADELPHIA GAY MENS CHORUS INCORPORATED and 2 more
SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$263,89813 42011–2024 ENVELOP; MUSIC AT KOHL MANSION INC; KALEIDOSCOPE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA; LITTLE VILLAGE FOUNDATION
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$246,0006 32020–2024 KAIROS MUSIC ACADEMY; TAKE ME TO THE RIVER EDUCATION INITIATIVE; NOONTIME CONCERTS

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $190,237 spent · pay $67,200 · grants $0 · events $33,852
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $67,200$43,270$12,570$11,360 35.3%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $33,852$24,325$2,494$7,033 17.8%
Fees: other services $29,755$29,755-- 15.6%
Advertising and promotion $16,203$11,978$2,025$2,200 8.5%
Fees: management $12,000$3,000$6,000$3,000 6.3%
Other (as described)Recording and lighting fees $8,760$8,760-- 4.6%
Fees: accounting $7,843-$7,843- 4.1%
Office expenses $7,331$3,452$3,235$644 3.9%
Information technology $5,557$39$4,810$708 2.9%
Other (as described)Ticketing costs $2,685$2,611$74- 1.4%
Travel $2,552$2,552-- 1.3%
Insurance $2,375-$2,375- 1.2%
Occupancy $732-$732- 0.4%
Royalties $425$425-- 0.2%
Other (as described) EventAmount allocated to fundraiser -$7,033---$7,033 -3.7%
Fundraising events Eventdirect expenses; gross income -$7,033reported apart
Total$190,237100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990EZ · $181,243 spent · pay $62,100 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $85,312 47.1%
Salaries, other pay and benefits $62,100 34.3%
Fees to independent contractors $25,252 13.9%
Printing, publications, postage $8,197 4.5%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $382 0.2%
Total$181,243100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $216,705 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)Program Expenses $113,616$113,616$0$0 52.4%
Fees: management $63,984$32,088$19,497$12,399 29.5%
Advertising and promotion $15,346$15,346$0$0 7.1%
Other (as described)Fundraising Expenses $10,152$0$0$10,152 4.7%
Office expenses $5,815$3,295$1,551$969 2.7%
Fees: accounting $3,414$0$3,414$0 1.6%
Occupancy $1,776$1,006$473$296 0.8%
Insurance $1,634$926$436$272 0.8%
Royalties $968$968$0$0 0.4%
Total$216,705100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990EZ · $149,464 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $330
LineAs describedTotalShare
Fees to independent contractors $104,363 69.8%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $40,813 27.3%
Printing, publications, postage $4,288 2.9%
Fundraising events Eventdirect expenses; gross income -$330reported apart
Total$149,464100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $134,257 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Fees to independent contractors $106,240 79.1%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $26,582 19.8%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $1,036 0.8%
Printing, publications, postage $399 0.3%
Total$134,257100%

View the filing