Elaine Hartong Klein, co-founder of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, passed away December 26, 2020 in Berkeley, California at age 98.  Elaine won an audition to join the Metropolitan Opera Ballet at age 16, in 1939, and danced at the Met for 6 years. She was also a member of the June Taylor Dancers.  She married Irving Merel Klein, cellist of the Claremont String Quartet, in 1944, and travelled on many concert tours with them, including several under the auspices of the US State Department Cultural Exchange Program.  Elaine was an excellent pianist, and served as both a dance teacher and accompanist.  She and Irving lived in New York City, Winston-Salem NC, and the Bay Area.  Elaine’s deep love for music drew her to serve as an active member of the Board of the Rossmoor Chamber Music Society among other organizations, during her 11 years living in Rossmoor, in Walnut Creek, California.  She also served on the board of the California Music Center for many years.

Elaine is survived by her son, Mitchell Sardou Klein, Artistic Director of the Klein Competition, and Music Director of the Peninsula Symphony; daughters-in-law Maria Klein and Patricia Whaley; grandchildren Randy Klein, Jenny Klein-Sosa, Elizabeth Klein, and Benjamin Klein, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her younger son Jerry Klein and her husband, Irving.

We will miss her warm, sweet smile, encouragement and dedication to the mission of the California Music Center, now in its 36th year, and the young artists it serves.

Donations in Elaine’s memory may be sent to the Elaine Klein Society at the California Music Center, producer of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition (californiamusiccenter.org); or the Peninsula Symphony (peninsulasymphony.org); or the Peninsula Youth Orchestra (peninsulayouthorchestra.org).