About Next-Arts

We showcase world-class talent — and what great artists do for the communities around them.

What makes us different

We made a deliberate choice about what to present. Greater Boston is rich in classical music, and we presented some great performances, but we realized there is a greater need for a home for jazz, gospel, R&B, blues, and Latin piano performed at the highest level, free and open to everyone. That’s the gap the Newton Piano Summit fills. Every performance is filmed and shared through an archive that has passed 100,000 views — extending each concert far beyond the room.

JazzGospelR&BBluesLatin
A pianist performing at the Newton Piano Summit

Our story

2016The Summit begins at the Waban Library Center — free from day one.
2024Next-Arts, Inc. is founded as a 501(c)(3) to give the Summit an organizational home.
TodayEight concerts at Second Church draw 1,600+ people every March.

Board of Directors

CP
Chris PittsFounder & Executive Director

30+ years in broadcast and multimedia production; performed alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, and Thad Jones.

JD
Jeff DavisBoard Member

36 years in investment management, including CIO roles at State Street Global Advisors; Berklee College of Music trustee emeritus.

AM
Andrus MadsenBoard Member

Founder and director of Newton Baroque; internationally recognized keyboardist; DMA, Eastman School of Music.

KW
Ken WillingerBoard Member

Emmy-nominated cinematographer with 30+ years in television and film; Summit Director of Photography since 2019.

Artistic Advisory: programming shaped by working artists including Alexei Tsiganov, George Russell Jr., Helen Sung, Yoko Miwa, Wes Wirth, and Tim Ray — among many of the region’s leading performers.

Next-Arts, Inc.

501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 99-3246445 · 1756 Beacon Street, Newton, MA 02468