Brighton teen paints, donates piano for public use downtown

BRIGHTON — A new spot in downtown Brighton just got musical.

Brighton teen Sienna Dietze, 17, painted and donated a public piano for all to use. It's installed under the pavilion next to Brighton City Hall and the Imagination Station.

"I definitely want people to be united with music and find joy, just sitting down to play and relieving some stress," Dietze, who graduated from Hartland High School this spring, said.

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

Deitze said she got the piano about a year ago, when her co-worker at Great Harvest Bread Co. — Miles Buckley — said 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 this. Why not do this 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's also a lilac bush and vines with pink flowers, and a lily pad and 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 downtown.

"I've played piano basically my whole life," Dietze said.

She's heading to the University of Michigan in the fall to major in theater performance directing.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brighton teen paints, donates piano for public use downtown