Brighton teenager paints and donates piano for public use in city centre

BRIGHTON — A new venue in central Brighton just got a musical twist.

Brighton teenager Sienna Dietze, 17, has painted and donated a public piano for everyone to use. It is set up under the pavilion next to Brighton City Hall and Imagination Station.

“I definitely want people to connect with music and find joy in just sitting down and playing and relieving some stress,” said Dietze, who graduated from Hartland High School this spring.

“That’s what (music) has always been for me. It’s a fun way to spend time with people and enjoy life.”

Deitze said he bought the piano about a year ago when his co-worker at Great Harvest Bread Co. — Miles Buckley — told him his parents, downtown business owners Todd and Natalie Buckley, were looking for someone who wanted theirs.

“I already had one, but I had this idea,” she said. “I think it was in Royal Oak, where a guy was doing it. Why not do it for Brighton?”

Friends helped her paint the piano with Michigan flora and fauna.

“On one side of the piano, I put cattails coming up (and beautiful birds),” Dietze said. “And then on the other side, there’s this beautiful crane and a willow tree.”

There is also a lilac bush and vines with pink flowers, as well as a lily leaf and a frog on the piano bench.

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Dietze said her boss, Mac Hawes, helped her connect with city officials. The Brighton Arts and Culture Commission decided where to place the piano in the city center.

“I’ve played piano pretty much my whole life,” Dietze said.

She’s going to the University of Michigan in the fall to major in play direction.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at [email protected].

This article was originally published in the Livingston Daily: Brighton teen paints and donates piano for public use in city centre