Service & Repair Classes

NOTE: Click on an instructor's name to see a bio.

Annual 8-Hour Piano Maintenance

Yamaha Team - David Durben, RPT

David Durben, RPT - Yamaha

David DurbenMr. Durben is a Piano Service Specialist for Yamaha in Buena Park, CA and is in his 14th year with the company. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, he has served the PTG in many positions. Beginning as President of the MinnKota, ND chapter and during his four years saw the chapter's membership quadruple. David was the PTG International's Central West Regional Vice President (1994-1996), Vice President (1996-1998) and President (1998-2000).

Bill Brandom, RPT

Bill BrandomBill Brandom is recently retired from active duty at Yamaha, serving now as a consultant, primarily with Disklavier service.  Bill has been at the forefront of DKV service since the product was introduced in 1988.

For any piano, annual maintenance is necessary. But it is especially critical for pianos that will be used in areas with high performance expectations. We will show you a spreadsheet time-line layout that is adjustable for any situation.

Fix That Lyre

Debbie Cyr, RPT

Debra Cyr, RPT

Debra CyrDebbie Cyr RPT, started in piano technology in 1990 as an apprentice, and in 1992 attended the rebuilding program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston. She is an instructor at the North Bennet Street School, works as a rebuilder, and has an extensive private tuning clientele. Debbie is also the piano technician at Brandeis University, as well as a past president and active member of the Boston Piano Technician Guild She teaches and does technical exams at seminars and conventions on the local, regional and national levels. (debbiecyr@me.com)

General grand lyre repairs, featuring proper repairs for unglued lyre posts, all kinds of pedal mechanisms, and a demonstration of just how easy installing a Steinway lyre really is!!

The Full-Service Approach to Piano Maintenance

Steve Brady, RPT

Steve Brady, RPT

Steve BradySteve Brady has served as editor of the Piano Technicians Journal, received the PTG “Member of Note” and “Hall of Fame” awards, and authored two books on piano technology: A Piano Technician’s Guide to Field Repairs, and Under the Lid: The Art and Craft of the Concert Piano Technician.

Take your daily work to a new level with this full-service approach, by “servicing” instead of “tuning” the pianos in your clientele. Increase your income and customer satisfaction while making your job more interesting and rewarding.

The Jansen Artist Bench: Anatomy, Service & Repair

Bruce Stevens, RPT

Bruce Stevens, RPT

Bruce StevensBruce Stevens connection to the piano began at age 7 when he started piano lessons. By the end of High School, he was an accomplished classical pianist. After two years of college studying electronics, he started his career as a piano technician in 1978. His business today includes in-home service and complete restoration of fine pianos.

This class starts with a fast-paced PowerPoint presentation on what is involved in the care and maintenance procedures of the world-renowned Jansen & Sons artist bench. The second half features a demonstration of these procedures.

This Time Let’s Start With the Sostenuto: A Grand Damper Class

Eric Schandall, RPT

Eric Schandall, RPT

Eric SchandallEric Schandall graduated from the North Bennet Street School in 1967. He worked privately in Boston and California, starting work as a University Technician in 1975 in Victoria, British Columbia. From 2001 to 2008 he worked as the Administrator of Technical Training and Education at Steinway & Sons in New York City, teaching the curriculum of the CF Theodore Steinway Technical Academy. In 2008 he moved to Oslo Norway to be with his family, working at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet as Concert Technician, and freelance for the Steinway Dealership in Norway. www.ericschandall.com

Regulating the sostenuto systems of both grand and vertical pianos and both action mounted and cross block mounted sostenuto systems is described in detail in this class. Grand damper regulation is also described in a systematic approach. Steinway factory procedures are illustrated and demonstrated, though they are applicable to other instruments as well.

Why I Used to Hate Damper Work

Rick Florence

Rick Florence, RPT

Rick FlorenceRick is a third generation piano technician, having apprenticed in his grandfather’s (Carl Swendsen) shop in Calgary, Canada. He has since received training at Yamaha USA (Disklavier, Little Red School House, and advanced training with Terry Nimi, and factory training at Steinway, Schimmel and Bösendorfer. Rick is the Senior Piano Technician at Arizona State University. In his 19 years as ASU, Rick has prepared pianos for over 4700 concerts, collaborating with students, faculty, and some of the great musicians of our time. Rick joined PTG in 1986 and his service includes local offices, Director of the Utah State Seminar (1991), Director of the Arizona State Seminar (1994-2001), Assistant Institute Director (2003-2005) and Institute Director (Rochester, 2006).

Virtually all damper problems can be traced back to one of four basic concepts. Master these, and you can tackle most any damper problem. Demonstration of damper adjustment tools and techniques. Presentation of an easy to use flow chart to troubleshoot damper problems.

Everything Upright

Paul Rea, Petrof

Paul Rea - Petrof

Paul ReaPaul says that with 39 plus years in the music industry “There is nothing I can’t do to a piano, and if there is… I know someone who can.”  He also traveled the country servicing player pianos and standard pianos. Paul is a certified Piano Disc and QRS player system installer/technician, and quite proficient at touch up and repair of polyester and conventional finishes. Paul has “sat in every seat in the house” from bookkeeping, salesman, store manager, technician, factory tech, as well as owning a retail store with his parents. Paul also owned a successful tuning, rebuilding, refinishing and piano moving company for 25 plus years. The past few years Paul has been with a major Southern California piano dealership as a service manager and technician before accepting the National Technical Service Managers position at the Pearl River Piano Group. Shortly after NAMM in 2007 Paul accepted the position at Petrof USA bringing his technical knowledge and experience to Petrof USA as their National Service Manager. Paul’s latest adventure is heading up Petrof USA LLC as the National Operations Manager. www.petrofpianosusa.com

Everything Upright is a class on making a client’s piano a lot better or making a used beat up vertical into a piano that will sell and make you money. We touch on everything, shop work, field service, cabinet work, and much more. This good even for dealers.