As the University of Georgia (UGA) approaches the 30th anniversary of its designation as an All-Steinway Institution, it does so not just with pride, but with the unmistakable sound of commitment. Since 1996, the university has steadily grown a piano inventory that now rivals that of many elite conservatories. This past summer, UGA welcomed 30 new Steinway-designed Boston pianos to campus, continuing a decade-long push to provide students and faculty with world-class instruments. Today, with 131 pianos—most of them Steinways—the university continues to invest in musical excellence with eyes set on four additional Steinway Model B concert grands.

For Professor Daniel Bara, Director of Choral Activities and Interim Director of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA, the university’s All-Steinway status is more than a distinction—it’s a catalyst for excellence.
 

“Guest artists are always blown away by the condition and aesthetic of our instruments.”
 

“Guest artists are always blown away by the condition and aesthetic of our instruments,” said Bara. “We recently hosted the International Liszt Festival, and the feedback we received—especially about our Steinways—was phenomenal. It feels like we’re a little-known secret, with stunning pianos, beautiful halls, and a technical team that keeps it all running beautifully.”

At the heart of that technical effort is master piano technician Scott Higgins, whose vision, persistence, and personal involvement have transformed UGA’s piano program over the past 13 years. Higgins has enjoyed a more than 40-year relationship with Steinway & Sons, beginning with his early training at NEC and spanning decades of service as a trusted technician for institutions and festivals like Spoleto, Savannah, and UGA. His hands-on work, advocacy, and negotiating skills have helped secure dozens of new Steinway instruments, cementing his role as a lifelong ambassador for the brand.

“I’ve never been one to take no for an answer,” Higgins explained. “When I got here in 2012, we had a 100-year-old Model D in our small concert hall and our other concert grands were 20 to 30 years old. I told the director and faculty, ‘Our most urgent need is a new concert grand.’ They laughed—respectfully—but no one had really tried before.”

Higgins, who’s been advocating for better instruments since the 1980s, took it upon himself to handle the logistics, quoting, and planning for UGA’s piano acquisitions—and his persistence paid off. In 2014 and 2017, UGA acquired two Steinway Model D concert grands, along with several Boston uprights and a Model B. But perhaps the biggest milestone came in 2023, when the university purchased a Hamburg Steinway Model D for the Performing Arts Center. “Five years earlier, I joked to a colleague that we’d have a Hamburg D in five years,” Higgins said. “He laughed and said if that happened, he’d buy me dinner in Germany. With one week left on the bet, I got the call—it was approved.”

That acquisition coincided with a major inventory analysis conducted by Alice Tillman Bryant, Institutional Sales Director at Steinway Piano Galleries of Atlanta, which revealed that many of UGA’s pianos were so worn down they were no longer being tuned to international standard. “It was embarrassing,” Higgins said. “We needed a reset.” He requested quotes for 30 Boston uprights, not expecting anything to come of it. “It seemed like a long shot, given the size of the request.” When the full order was greenlit, it caught even him by surprise. “I panicked a little,” he admitted with a laugh, “but we made it work. These are cost-effective, solid instruments. We polish and tune them monthly, and the students walk into bright, clean spaces and feel proud. That kind of care makes a difference.”

That pride was on full display during the American Liszt Society’s 60th anniversary festival, hosted by UGA in 2023. The event welcomed elite pianists like Marc-André Hamelin and Gabriela Montero, all of whom performed on Steinways maintained by Higgins and his team.

“Our Hamburg Steinway was a highlight,” said UGA Piano Professor Liza Stepanova, who organized the festival. “Every visiting musician comments on both the quality of our pianos and the meticulous maintenance. It really showcased what we’ve built here.”
 

“Georgia’s got a pretty good football team, but we’ve got a stunning piano inventory.”
 

Over the past 13 years, UGA has acquired 47 new Steinway and Steinway-designed pianos—43 uprights and 4 grands—thanks largely to Higgins' tireless advocacy and hands-on leadership.

“The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is truly outstanding,” said Bryant. “Their exceptional faculty, comprehensive music programs, top-tier concert artist series, and talented students set them apart. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Scott, who is among the very best technicians I’ve encountered in my career. Having played and assessed hundreds of pianos at institutions across the country, I can confidently say that UGA boasts one of the finest and best-maintained piano collections in the nation.”

“As I like to say,” Higgins said, laughing, “Georgia’s got a pretty good football team, but we’ve got a stunning piano inventory.”