Perhaps the highlight of each weeklong tour was an evening hosted by Yamaha Corporation of Japan at its Sunza Villa Resort on Lake Hamana. The food, camaraderie, musical entertainment, and karaoke lasted well into the night.

In other TouchStone news, the summer TouchStone Master Class "The Process of Sales Excellence" facilitated by Al Slivinski has met with rave reviews. More than 100 STARs and aspiring STARs in locations around the country experienced Slivinski's perspective on how to be aware of, and respond to, customers' needs and expectations.

Most of them report it will definitely assist them in their jobs. "We're getting very high marks for this program," TouchStone Coordinator Dick Cruise reports.

The TouchStone STARs Program is also pleased to welcome its two newest members: Dennis Collins of Critchett Piano & Organ Companies in Des Moines, Iowa and Phil Young of Yamaha Peninsula Music Center in San Jose, Calif.