Lake Wildwood has welcomed many wonderful residents over the years, but few have arrived with quite the charm — or the musical pedigree — of our newest addition: a Baldwin Model M Baby Grand Piano, now gracing the Cedar Room like a debutante at her first ball.
This elegant instrument comes to us thanks to longtime resident Judy Wilkins, who lived in LWW for more than two decades before moving to a senior living community in Southern California in 2025, following her husband’s passing. In June of ’26, Judy reached out with an extraordinary offer: she wished to place her beloved childhood piano in the Cedar Room for use by the Classical Music Club, as well as other LWW groups, committees, and events.
This wasn’t just any piano…Judy grew up with it, taught her students on it, and kept it in impeccable condition throughout her years as a piano teacher. If pianos could earn merit badges, this one would have a sash full of them.
The instrument itself is a Baldwin Model M Baby Grand, measuring 5’2”, more than 50 years old, and built during Baldwin’s celebrated “golden age” — a time when Baldwin and Steinway were the reigning royalty of American concert halls. In other words, this piano has serious credentials and probably has better posture than most of us.
The arrangement is considered a “provisional gift”, with Judy generously sharing her lifelong companion so it may live, sing, and shine in the Cedar Room of the LWW Clubhouse, home of our Classical Music Club concerts.
Club founder and president Michael Selby expressed the excitement best: “Having this Baldwin Grand allows us to attract better solo and ensemble artists to LWW. We’re extremely grateful to Judy for sharing her lifelong instrument with us, and it will greatly enhance the quality of sound in our Classical Music Club performances, as well as being used by the LWW Women’s Chorus and other LWW groups. We are equally appreciative of Chris Boyd, General Manager of Lake Wildwood, whose support made it possible for Baby Baldwin to find its home in the Cedar Room.
To celebrate Baby Baldwin’s debut, our September 27 Opening Concert for the ’26–’27 season will feature the return of two audience favorites: Christine Choi, violin, and Shinae Kim, piano. They’ve dazzled us twice before, and our audience has consistently ranked them among the very best performers we’ve ever hosted. It’s only fitting that they christen our new season — and our new piano — with a program of gorgeous, emotionally rich works including:
- Bach — Sonata No. 4 in C minor for Violin and Keyboard, BWV 1017
- Bach — Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
- Schumann — Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105
- Ravel — Tzigane
As always:
- Doors open at 1:15 PM
- Concert begins at 2:00 PM
- Free shuttle from the lower parking lot aboard Miss Daisy
- Admission: $15 adults, $10 ages 12–18, children under 12 free
Come celebrate the start of a new season, the return of two beloved artists, and the arrival of our beautiful Baby Baldwin — a piano with history, heart, and now a new home filled with music.