New tune for Code.org’s Hadi Partovi: CEO of piano education venture with unique method and big ambitions

May 26, 2026 - 04:37

Hadi Partovi, the founder of the nonprofit computer science education group Code.org, has taken on a new role as CEO of Payam Music, a piano school based in Bothell, Washington. Partovi, who stepped down as CEO of Code.org earlier this year, announced the move over the weekend. He plans to expand the company across the country with support from a well-known group of investors.

Payam Music uses a distinctive teaching method that Partovi believes can scale beyond its current regional footprint. The company focuses on piano instruction, but Partovi has not shared full details on how the approach differs from traditional music education. He has described the method as unique and says it has the potential to reach a much larger audience.

The shift from leading a major nonprofit to a for-profit music venture marks a significant change for Partovi. Code.org became one of the most visible organizations in the push to bring computer science into public schools, with millions of students participating in its Hour of Code events. Now, Partovi is turning his attention to a different kind of skill-building.

He has not disclosed the full list of investors backing the expansion, but he confirmed that the group includes several prominent figures from the tech and education sectors. Payam Music currently operates in the Seattle area, and Partovi's plans call for opening new locations in other major cities over the next few years.