The chance to play on the Rolls-Royce of concert grand pianos was too good an opportunity to miss for Mount Maunganui mum Magdalena James.
Baycourt's Steinway, usually the preserve of concert pianists, was rolled out for a special one-off day for pianists of all ages and abilities.
Mrs James was one of 15 people who swooped on the chance yesterday to play the $280,000 instrument before a small but appreciative audience.
"It was a great opportunity, I could not miss it," she said after her 35-minute recital that featured the works of Chopin, Grieg, Albeniz, Debussy and Granados. Her 11-year-old son Gregory was the page turner.
Mrs James said it was the first time she had played a Steinway on a stage in a big theatre. "I enjoyed pretending to be a concert pianist."