TouchStone Welcomes New Members,
Heads to Japan

n July, thirty-six TouchStone STARs (Signified TouchStone Award Recipients) visited Japan as guests of Yamaha Piano Division, the latest such group to glimpse the manufacturing facilities and other locations at the heart of Yamaha's global enterprise.

The tour group saw the Yamaha Guest House in Hamamatsu, the Upright Factory in Kakagawa, the V-Pro plate facility in Iwata, and the Yamaha Motors Communications center.

And business was mixed with pleasure as the visitors, many of whom brought spouses, had a chance to see the ancient city of Kyoto, including the Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-Ji Temple; ride a bullet train; and enjoy the cultural sites of Osaka, including the 418-year-old Osaka Castle. Yamaha Corporation of America Senior Vice President Terry Lewis accompanied the group and served as master of ceremonies at the official welcoming ceremony.

The TouchStone program has also welcomed new members to its ranks. Diane and Frank Hennessy of Hennessy Music in Columbia, MO; Rick Risberg of Piano Distributors of Clearwater in Clearwater, FL; and Ivan Waldorf and Richard S. Kolecki of Piano & Organ Distributors in Durham, NC have all met the demanding requirements of Yamaha's nationwide dealer recognition program.

The Yamaha TouchStone program was created in 1996 to recognize outstanding salespeople for their sales knowledge, professional skills, and customer service. The program assures Yamaha customers that they are doing business with the best salespeople in the music industry.

World Piano Pedagogy Conference
October 24 - 27 • Orlando, FL

American Association of Health Services
for the Aging
November 5 - 7 • San Diego, CA

Little Red Schoolhouse
November 5 - 9 • Buena Park, CA

Technology and Learning Conference
November 7 - 10 • Atlanta, GA

International Hotel/Motel
& Restaurant Show
November 10 - 13 • New York, NY