Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

What led you to become a student at Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ?

I arrived in the Basic Piano Technology program with three years experience, which included Berklee training, private tuning, and some shopwork. I continued into the Advanced Piano Technology program as well. Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ provided exactly the professionalizing rigor I hoped for.

What was the best part of your Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ training?

David Betts [former Piano Technology Department Head], briefly hovering above my work with neutral look and no comment. He inspired me to look again, think through what I was doing, and try what I thought would work. I discovered that I often learned the most from my mistakes. He empowered me to make mistakes and learn.

What are you up to now?

I do a modest amount of piano work, mostly grand action regulating and rebuilding now, supported by the tuning and repair talents of my two good friends and fellow Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ grads Yoshi and Xiaodan. The rest of my time is split between designing and making , selling, packaging, and shipping the same, and teaching/training others from what I have learned.

What advice do you have for students in your industry?

Stick with it, believe in yourself and in the good work you offer a world that needs good work, and stay open—to your customers, to what happens, and to the little voice in your head.