The legendary concert pianist, Leon Bates, has announced his retirement from the stage due to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Throughout his career, he enjoyed international success, appearing with major orchestras in Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York, Los Angeles, and across Europe, in addition to a formidable list of chamber music collaborations.

A native Philadelphian, Bates studied at Settlement’s Germantown Branch with Irene Beck for five years before moving on to his collegiate studies at Temple under Natalie Hinderas. He continues to reside in Mount Airy, not far from his childhood home and the Settlement Branch where he began to hone his craft.

To read the full Inquirer article announcing his retirement, click here.