Piano Technicians Guild
WESTPAC - Western and Pacific Regional Conference
February 26-March 1, 2015
DoubleTree by Hilton , Ontario, CA
Conference Schedule in Calendar Format [PDF] [revised 2/27/15]
Schedule by Class Category [PDF] [revised 2/27/15]
Regulation Classes
NOTE: Click on an instructor's name to see a bio.
Are You Regulationally Challenged?
Rick Baldassin, RPT, and Carl Teel
Rick Baldassin, RPT
Rick
received his education and piano technology training from Brigham Young University.
He is the author of the book On Pitch, which was recently re-published.
Rick served as the Tuning Editor for the Journal from 1987 to 1991.
His teaching has taken him to piano factories and conventions throughout the
United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Korea and Australia. Rick has served
as the Concert Technician for the Utah Symphony for over 20 years, and has
been the Teaching and Technical Consultant for Renner since 1989. He has been
trained in the concert and artist programs of Fazioli, Steinway and Yamaha,
and has been a consultant to the Falcone, Mason & Hamlin, and Pramberger
Piano Companies. Rick also serves as the Technical Support Director for Fazioli
in North America. He is a Member of Note, Jim Burton, and Hall of Fame award
winner. Rick and his wife Cindy currently operate Baldassin Pianos, a full-line
rebuilding and retail showroom located in Salt Lake City.
Carl Teel
Carl
has been repairing and restoring pianos for over 30 years. He has been a member
of PTG since 1976, and since 1979 has served continuously as Treasurer of the
Salt Lake City Chapter. Carl was instrumental in running the Utah Intermountain
Seminar for a number of years. He is a popular instructor at local, regional
and national conventions, and is a consultant to piano technicians throughout
Utah.
When trying to remedy an action that does not function properly, a timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Ten action models will be prepared to malfunction in a variety of ways. In the first period, class members in small groups will analyze and propose solutions to these problems. In the second period, the proper diagnosis for each model will then be shown, and the model restored to proper function. This format allows plenty of time to discuss principles of action regulation that relate to each problem.
NOTE: Limit 24 Participants – Pre-registration is encouraged
Are You "STILL" Regulationally Challenged?
Rick Baldassin, RPT, and Carl Teel
Rick Baldassin, RPT
Rick
received his education and piano technology training from Brigham Young University.
He is the author of the book On Pitch, which was recently re-published.
Rick served as the Tuning Editor for the Journal from 1987 to 1991.
His teaching has taken him to piano factories and conventions throughout the
United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Korea and Australia. Rick has served
as the Concert Technician for the Utah Symphony for over 20 years, and has
been the Teaching and Technical Consultant for Renner since 1989. He has been
trained in the concert and artist programs of Fazioli, Steinway and Yamaha,
and has been a consultant to the Falcone, Mason & Hamlin, and Pramberger
Piano Companies. Rick also serves as the Technical Support Director for Fazioli
in North America. He is a Member of Note, Jim Burton, and Hall of Fame award
winner. Rick and his wife Cindy currently operate Baldassin Pianos, a full-line
rebuilding and retail showroom located in Salt Lake City.
Carl Teel
Carl
has been repairing and restoring pianos for over 30 years. He has been a member
of PTG since 1976, and since 1979 has served continuously as Treasurer of the
Salt Lake City Chapter. Carl was instrumental in running the Utah Intermountain
Seminar for a number of years. He is a popular instructor at local, regional
and national conventions, and is a consultant to piano technicians throughout
Utah.
This “hands-on” class is a follow-up to “Are You Regulationally Challenged?” No screws have been turned at this point. Renner PTG Test action models and tools are again provided so that class members can perform the regulation steps as outlined. This will give you the opportunity to apply the principles gleaned during “Are You Regulationally Challenged?” Rick and Carl will be ever watching over you as you work to insure your success and add additional insight. (Seating priority will be given to those who have just attended “Are You Regulationally Challenged?”)
NOTE: Limit 24 Participants – Pre-registration is encouraged
Grand Regulation in the Home with at Least 10 New "DIY" Tools
LaRoy Edwards, RPT, Susan Edwards and Jane Edwards-Kimball, RPT
LaRoy Edwards, RPT
LaRoy is a legend in the piano technical community. He is an inventor, gifted teacher charter member of PTG and Golden Hammer award recipient (1987). With Cecil Short, he founded the Pomona Valley chapter and was the first president of Pomona Valley Chapter. He is National Piano Service Mgr. for Yamaha. LaRoy's two daughters will for the first time be in attendance at WestPac V and will be assisting him in the class. Susan and Jane Edwards-Kimball, RPT were official tuners for the Montery Jazz Festival for over 25 years.
LaRoy, assisted by his two daughters, will present ideas to make it possible to do more and better grand regulation in the home by introducing at least 10 new "DIY" tools that LaRoy invented. Plans and instructions will be given to all class attendees. The "DIY" tools used will be given away as door prizes in the class!
Grand Regulation Tips and Techniques
David Reed, RPT [Kawai America]
David Reed - Kawai America
David Reed began working on pianos in 1980 in Fort Worth, Texas and became a RPT in 1989. He eventually became the National Service Manager for Yamaha from 2005 to 2010 and taught classes at national and regional conventions. After serving briefly as the National Service Manager for Pearl River, David joined Kawai in 2011 as its National Service Manager.
There are manuals that give step-by-step instructions for regulating grand actions, but what makes one fluent at regulating is to learn the best techniques for getting each step done quickly and accurately. You’ll enjoy hearing the instructor as he draws on his extensive experience as a private technician as well as knowledge gained from working for multiple piano companies to share the best way to achieve great results quickly and efficiently.
The Grandwork™ Regulation Protocol: A Linear Method of Regulating Grand Pianos
Christopher Brown, RPT [TPR Tools, LLC]
Chris Brown, RPT - TPR Tools LLC
Chris has plied the trade since 1977. Most notably, he created the Grandwork™ Regulation Station: a patented suite of tools to make grand action work more predictable, more accurate, and easier to perform. A member of the Boston Chapter, Chris provides tuning, repair, and rebuilding services as Concord Piano LLC .
The Grandwork™ Regulation Protocol's careful order of operations, good referencing, and best principles move grand regulating step-by-step from assessment to final voicing, while avoiding miscalculations and rework. Learn how to consistently maximize each piano's potential. This class describes work in the piano and work on the Grandwork™ Regulation Station. This 2-period class will only be presented Sunday morning
Upright Regulation: Maximum Results, Minimum Time
Don Mannino, RPT [Kawai America]
Don Mannino, RPT - Kawai America
Don began an apprenticeship with a piano rebuilder while completing his studies at San Diego State University as a piano performance major in 1979. After working for 11 years as an independent piano technician in the San Diego area, he was Service Manager for Young Chang Pianos, then Manager of Technical Support for Kawai, and now serves as the Director of Field Services for Kawai. Don and his wife Patty are the editors of the Southern California PTG newsletter. In 2010 he was certified in Japan as a Kawai "Master Piano Artisan" (or MPA), the highest level of technician for the Kawai company. In 2013 Mr. Mannino was inducted into the PTG Hall of Fame.
This 2-period class will focus on the goals of regulation and how to fulfill them in the least amount of time. Learn how to make the piano work best within normal specifications, which tools to buy and which procedures to follow to insure the best results. An excellent class for those who want to get a better handle on making vertical piano actions perform at their optimum while being as efficient and profitable as possible.