A Community That Never Stops Loving Music

The Tamalpais Marin’s new Steinway brings harmony, legacy, and joy to community life.

At The Tamalpais Marin, music doesn’t only echo from the common spaces; it fuels the spirit of the community. The latest symbol of this deep-rooted passion is a 7-foot Steinway Model B grand piano, a world-class instrument made possible through the generosity of residents. Over 76 percent of the community contributed, turning a shared vision into a reality that now enriches life daily.

“The community wanted an instrument that would outlive us and inspire future residents,” says Lynn Callender, a resident since 2010 and lifelong music advocate. “The legacy was just as important as the sound.”

Lynn, a lifelong music educator and passionate advocate for the arts, began her 30-year teaching career after earning a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She later served on the university’s School of Music Board of Visitors and has remained an active, dedicated presence in Marin County’s arts community.

A seasoned choral performer, who has sung in concerts in Italy and at Carnegie Hall, Lynn was part of the residents committee that brought the Steinway to The Tamalpais. 

Lynn is a supporter of youth arts programs. She also serves on the Marin Symphony Board of Directors, an organization with which she has been involved for over 25 years.

When pianist Gustavo Romero played (photos below courtesy of community residents) the first notes to a full house, residents lit up with excitement and said, “It sings!”

“It’s music that brings us together,” says Lynn.

Music is one element in the dynamic mix of cultural offerings at The Tamalpais Marin. The community’s enrichment calendar, crafted by staff and with resident input, features:

• Hosting classical and contemporary happy hour sets
• Featuring visiting chamber groups and opera soloists
• Showcasing local youth ensembles
• Streaming symphonies and seasonal film screenings
• Organizing group outings to the Marin Symphony and San Francisco Opera

Every detail, from the auditorium’s acoustics to the enthusiasm of residents, reflects a commitment to artistic engagement and lifelong inspiration within the Greenbrae community, set against a stunning panoramic view of bay waterways and Mount Tamalpais in the backdrop. 

The residents’ dedication to creativity aligns with Sequoia Living’s ‘Never Stop’ campaign, a movement that celebrates personal evolution at every stage of life. 

When asked what she plans to Never Stop, Lynn answers instantly: “Listening to music.”

For Lynn, the value of community living far outweighs the square footage of a traditional home. “The Tamalpais is simply a new neighborhood,” said Lynn, a Marin County resident for the last 40 years. “You can close your door or open it to endless possibilities.”

From fitness groups to book clubs, “Boat-to-Table” Fridays, and volunteer-led programming, Lynn reminds friends who want to live in their home (also referred to as “aging in place”) that socialization is more valuable than a large home. 

“The community’s quality of life comes from the level and variety of cultural life,” Lynn said. However, it’s music: accessible, shared, and emotionally resonant, that remains the common thread in the Greenbrae life plan community.

Future residents and residents will get to experience an unforgettable afternoon of lively tango, flamenco, Spanish classical, and Latin jazz. Experience the warmth of community living and connection, followed by happy hour with residents. 

• The event is now full