ADVANCING the mission | more with Steve & Connie Lyman

 

[this is second of a two-part article; the first part is here]

Steve Lyman moved to Indianapolis in 1974 after graduating with a law degree from Indiana University. A native of West Lafayette, Indiana, he is in his forty-third year of legal practice. Connie grew up in Franklin, Indiana and came to Indianapolis in 1974 to share an apartment with a sister who had just taken a job in town. “We lived together on the northeast side of Indianapolis right behind the apartment of my future husband. Steve and I met there in 1975 and were married in 1976.”

The longtime Indianapolis residents have introduced many of their friends to the excellence on display and uniqueness of APA’s events in Indy’s cultural scene. Additionally, though their involvement they have gained many new friends. Says Connie, "APA has become a huge part of our social life, and we look forward to seeing staff, host families and other members at various events."

Steve agrees:

We have so many new friendships since that first cold call by Joel Harrison back in 2008! Of course, Jeremy Siskind and Sullivan Fortner and their families and each of the other finalists over the years have truly become friends along the way. In addition, the amazing APA supporters, the staff, the board members and other supporters in the community have all become close friends.  We would not have expanded our circle of friends to such an extent without the APA.

In addition to finding new friends, their introduction to the APA has helped the Lymans establish a number of new favorite venues to frequent. Steve and Connie discuss these venues and more in this clip:

Steve elaborates off camera:

My favorite venue in Indianapolis is the Hilbert Circle Theater where both the APA's jazz and classical competitions were last held.  The quality of the setting made that venue truly world class. Certainly for jazz you cannot beat The Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple as the perfect venue for any performer whoever they might be.

Beautiful tear-inducing performances, opportunities to mentor young, world-class American artists, introductions to similarly passionate people and inspiring venues…the APA has provided much in return for the Lymans’ support. According to Connie, “when you see the level of talent and how young these people are and you realize the APA is giving them a giant step forward in their careers, you really want to be a part of if.”

In this final clip, Steve and Connie talk more about the reasons for their support:

Leaving final thoughts for Steve:

Quite simply, the arts—whether music, dance, theater, opera, painting, sculpture or literature—are truly the lifeblood of a life well-lived. One could say that appreciation of the arts makes an individual whole.  It certainly does for me.

My advice to anyone whether not they are familiar with classical or jazz is to simply go and listen to an APA performance. Once people are introduced, they always return. I would say that all of our friends that we have invited to performances have enthusiastically embraced the quality they have witnessed. Then they become part of the APA family.

The Lymans went from never having heard of the American Pianists Association to serving as some of our biggest supporters—all stemming from a simple invitation by APA Artistic Director and CEO Joel Harrison. Asking is easy, and as Steve notes, the uniqueness of our organization and beauty of our artists’ performances ensure your guests will have a great time.

Who will you introduce to the APA this spring?

---

Read more stories or share yours here:

Tell us your story!

 

Sign up for our Newsletter
Our diverse world shapes our music, the artistic language of our contestants. It delights, informs, and inspires us all. It is in this spirit that the American Pianists Association welcomes people of any race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as people with disabilities. We commit to learn from diverse talents, ideas, and voices. We pledge to create an environment for our artists, audiences, community partners, board, and staff that is based on the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Further, we commit to enacting strategic and annual plans that provide focused, measurable strategies for living out these values every day.