Presenters and Topics
Presenters and Topics
Jason Cassel
USA Jason Cassel RPT currently serves as a Piano Technician for Brigham Young University. He graduated with his MA in Piano Technology from Florida State University and earned his BM in Commercial Music from BYU. Jason has received manufacturer training from Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, and Renner USA. The Aftertouch Ballgame What is Aftertouch? Why is it important? What regulation points influence it? How is it set on an upright and a grand? Come unravel these regulation mysteries as we work through the Aftertouch process! The piano is trying to tell you something. Are you listening? Fantastic Problems and Where to Find Them I’ll take sticking keys for 300!” This Jeopardy-style class is the most fun you’ll have at the Convention. Videos will present common problems and repairs – from sticking keys to ringing dampers and beyond. Participants can score points for their team by guessing the cause of the problem correctly. Once identified, the solution will be discussed. Voicing: Behind-The-Scenes What exactly happens to the tone of a note when it is voiced? In this class, before and after recordings will be played so that you can hear the difference. But that’s not all! Graphs will also be displayed, making it easy to see which partials are affected by different voicing techniques. Bring your listening ears. |
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Udo Steingraeber
DE
Udo Steingraeber led the renowned piano manufacturer Steingraeber & Söhne in Bayreuth, Germany, as the sixth generation of his family until passing the leadership to his children, Fanny and Alban, in 2023. He studied law and theater in Munich and trained in piano craftsmanship at his family’s factory. At just 24, he took over company management following his father’s sudden death in 1980.
Under his leadership, Steingraeber developed over a dozen innovative piano models, including three concert grands and collaborations with makers like Pleyel Paris. He championed projects such as “Historical Playing Techniques,” “Pianos of the Future,” and “Respectful Pianos,” integrating historical and inclusive design with modern technology.
Udo played a key role in European piano craftsmanship as chairman of the German Piano Makers Association (BDK) and vice president of Europiano, co-creating the European Piano Technician Degree, standardizing training across 16 countries.
A respected lecturer, he has spoken globally on piano history and innovation. He curated major exhibitions, co-founded the Franz Liszt Weimar-Bayreuth Piano Competition, and restored the historic Steingraeber headquarters, now home to “Bayreuth Piano World.” Together with his wife Delia, he hosted over 120 annual cultural events at the venue.
Sound and Touch Development Since Mozart
Over the past 325 years, piano technology has evolved dramatically—from Cristofori’s parchment hammers to Pape’s felt, and from knee levers to today’s standard three-pedal system. Yet many of the world’s most beloved composers—including Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert—composed on fortepianos vastly different from modern instruments. These early pianos offered up to six musical registers and had distinct touch characteristics, such as key dip as shallow as 6mm.
Today’s pianists interpret this repertoire on modern grands, raising the question: how can technicians and manufacturers support more historically informed performances? In this engaging session, Udo Steingraeber traces the step-by-step evolution of piano construction and invites attendees to explore how historical insights can be applied in contemporary piano building, regulation, and restoration work.
Innovation in Piano Building and Techniques
While today’s pianos remain largely unchanged since 1900, the world—and the needs of musicians—have evolved. In response, Steingraeber & Söhne of Bayreuth has pioneered innovative approaches to piano design since the 1980s. Their “Respectful Pianos” series makes instruments accessible to musicians with special needs, such as pianists in wheelchairs, offering thoughtful adaptations without compromising sound quality.
This presentation by Udo Steingraeber explores how innovation and tradition can coexist. Drawing inspiration from the creative piano-building era of the 1920s—with inventions like the quarter-tone piano (Förster), microtone piano (Sauter), Neo-Bechstein, and Pleyel-Luthéal—Steingraeber revives these unique sound worlds using advanced transducer technology and precise physical modeling, moving beyond conventional sampling.
Innovation also extends to materials: lightweight, resonant lids once crafted from linden wood are now replicated with aluminum honeycomb; and for outdoor use, carbon fiber soundboards ensure tuning stability in varying climates.
Join Udo Steingraeber to discover how piano makers can meet modern challenges while honoring the heritage of piano craftsmanship.
DE
Udo Steingraeber led the renowned piano manufacturer Steingraeber & Söhne in Bayreuth, Germany, as the sixth generation of his family until passing the leadership to his children, Fanny and Alban, in 2023. He studied law and theater in Munich and trained in piano craftsmanship at his family’s factory. At just 24, he took over company management following his father’s sudden death in 1980.
Under his leadership, Steingraeber developed over a dozen innovative piano models, including three concert grands and collaborations with makers like Pleyel Paris. He championed projects such as “Historical Playing Techniques,” “Pianos of the Future,” and “Respectful Pianos,” integrating historical and inclusive design with modern technology.
Udo played a key role in European piano craftsmanship as chairman of the German Piano Makers Association (BDK) and vice president of Europiano, co-creating the European Piano Technician Degree, standardizing training across 16 countries.
A respected lecturer, he has spoken globally on piano history and innovation. He curated major exhibitions, co-founded the Franz Liszt Weimar-Bayreuth Piano Competition, and restored the historic Steingraeber headquarters, now home to “Bayreuth Piano World.” Together with his wife Delia, he hosted over 120 annual cultural events at the venue.
Sound and Touch Development Since Mozart
Over the past 325 years, piano technology has evolved dramatically—from Cristofori’s parchment hammers to Pape’s felt, and from knee levers to today’s standard three-pedal system. Yet many of the world’s most beloved composers—including Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert—composed on fortepianos vastly different from modern instruments. These early pianos offered up to six musical registers and had distinct touch characteristics, such as key dip as shallow as 6mm.
Today’s pianists interpret this repertoire on modern grands, raising the question: how can technicians and manufacturers support more historically informed performances? In this engaging session, Udo Steingraeber traces the step-by-step evolution of piano construction and invites attendees to explore how historical insights can be applied in contemporary piano building, regulation, and restoration work.
Innovation in Piano Building and Techniques
While today’s pianos remain largely unchanged since 1900, the world—and the needs of musicians—have evolved. In response, Steingraeber & Söhne of Bayreuth has pioneered innovative approaches to piano design since the 1980s. Their “Respectful Pianos” series makes instruments accessible to musicians with special needs, such as pianists in wheelchairs, offering thoughtful adaptations without compromising sound quality.
This presentation by Udo Steingraeber explores how innovation and tradition can coexist. Drawing inspiration from the creative piano-building era of the 1920s—with inventions like the quarter-tone piano (Förster), microtone piano (Sauter), Neo-Bechstein, and Pleyel-Luthéal—Steingraeber revives these unique sound worlds using advanced transducer technology and precise physical modeling, moving beyond conventional sampling.
Innovation also extends to materials: lightweight, resonant lids once crafted from linden wood are now replicated with aluminum honeycomb; and for outdoor use, carbon fiber soundboards ensure tuning stability in varying climates.
Join Udo Steingraeber to discover how piano makers can meet modern challenges while honoring the heritage of piano craftsmanship.
David Jenkin
NZ
David Jenkin ARPT qualified in Switzerland, trained in the USA and Italy and is a graduate of the Steinway Concert Technician Academy, Hamburg, where he trained under technician extraordinaire Stephan Knüpfer, celebrated in the film Pianomania. In 2009 David spent time gaining additional training with Ulrich Gerhartz in the Concert and Artist department at Steinway London.
David is very active in the New Zealand and Australasian Piano Tuners and Technicians Guilds and has given presentations at more than a dozen conventions, including IAPBT Brisbane convention and at the 2023 PTG Arlington USA Convention.
After a lifetime in pianos and the joys and challenges working with a team of technicians, David is enjoying working less, by himself, taking on one rebuilding project at a time and assisting with the mentoring and education of trainees. David is also assisting the NZPTTG to develop and establish piano tuner training in NZ.
NZ
David Jenkin ARPT qualified in Switzerland, trained in the USA and Italy and is a graduate of the Steinway Concert Technician Academy, Hamburg, where he trained under technician extraordinaire Stephan Knüpfer, celebrated in the film Pianomania. In 2009 David spent time gaining additional training with Ulrich Gerhartz in the Concert and Artist department at Steinway London.
David is very active in the New Zealand and Australasian Piano Tuners and Technicians Guilds and has given presentations at more than a dozen conventions, including IAPBT Brisbane convention and at the 2023 PTG Arlington USA Convention.
After a lifetime in pianos and the joys and challenges working with a team of technicians, David is enjoying working less, by himself, taking on one rebuilding project at a time and assisting with the mentoring and education of trainees. David is also assisting the NZPTTG to develop and establish piano tuner training in NZ.
Fine Fast Fastidious Grand Regulation
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The Underwater Steinway - A story of earthquakes and recovery
When the 7.2 earthquake struck Christchurch in 2011, the Town Hall was tilted sideways with a drop down to 6 meters. The Steinway concert grand piano ended up in contaminated water up to its keys. There it stayed for 2 years, when the engineers finally let technician Wytze Hoekstra in to report on the damage, after which the piano was purchased by the Lund family and sent to David Jenkins for a complete overhaul.
Hear the whole dramatic story from David himself….. with lots of pictures of the restoration and a performance on the piano.
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The Underwater Steinway - A story of earthquakes and recovery
When the 7.2 earthquake struck Christchurch in 2011, the Town Hall was tilted sideways with a drop down to 6 meters. The Steinway concert grand piano ended up in contaminated water up to its keys. There it stayed for 2 years, when the engineers finally let technician Wytze Hoekstra in to report on the damage, after which the piano was purchased by the Lund family and sent to David Jenkins for a complete overhaul.
Hear the whole dramatic story from David himself….. with lots of pictures of the restoration and a performance on the piano.
Starr Taylor
USA
A full service provider, Starr Taylor RPT offers fine aural tuning, voicing, custom action work and quality rebuilding of grand pianos. Pursuing excellence since 1985, Starr has attended many Piano Conventions and studied all facets of piano technology. He is a member of the US PTG and in demand as a presenter.
"I strive to remove the strident clang of brittleness that dominates the piano landscape of today. I believe the piano should have a human voice: one that is round, smooth, warm, and can be listened to for hours".
"My goal is to give the musician a piano that offers a seamless and effortless vehicle with which to make beautiful music. I do this by offering a multi-faceted approach to piano care and rebuilding. This includes the latest in soundboard technology with variable rib soundboards, differing woods for sound production, the best action protocols and a resilient piano hammer".
USA
A full service provider, Starr Taylor RPT offers fine aural tuning, voicing, custom action work and quality rebuilding of grand pianos. Pursuing excellence since 1985, Starr has attended many Piano Conventions and studied all facets of piano technology. He is a member of the US PTG and in demand as a presenter.
"I strive to remove the strident clang of brittleness that dominates the piano landscape of today. I believe the piano should have a human voice: one that is round, smooth, warm, and can be listened to for hours".
"My goal is to give the musician a piano that offers a seamless and effortless vehicle with which to make beautiful music. I do this by offering a multi-faceted approach to piano care and rebuilding. This includes the latest in soundboard technology with variable rib soundboards, differing woods for sound production, the best action protocols and a resilient piano hammer".
Improving Grand performance - 20 tips
This intermediate/advanced class is designed to help piano technicians look at the piano from the
inside out. The tips in this class will address unusual problems when servicing grand pianos as well as improving tried & true methods for adjusting pedals and actions. Topics include: adjusting
nosebolts for tuning stability, addressing string deflection with temperament strips, seating strings on bridges, eliminating grand pedal noise, addressing friction in the piano action, adjusting repetition springs, and properly bushing the pitman pin hole in keybeds. A detailed handout is included. Questions are always encouraged!
Improving Upright performance - 20 tips
The Improving Upright Performance Class is designed to help technicians look at the whole piano system. If you know what to look for, you'll be seen as a professional. The tips in this class will help you quickly diagnose problems and fix them. Topics include: tuning instability, bedding actions, ironing key bushings, fixing damper rod problems & addressing pedal issues. A detailed handout is included.
This intermediate/advanced class is designed to help piano technicians look at the piano from the
inside out. The tips in this class will address unusual problems when servicing grand pianos as well as improving tried & true methods for adjusting pedals and actions. Topics include: adjusting
nosebolts for tuning stability, addressing string deflection with temperament strips, seating strings on bridges, eliminating grand pedal noise, addressing friction in the piano action, adjusting repetition springs, and properly bushing the pitman pin hole in keybeds. A detailed handout is included. Questions are always encouraged!
Improving Upright performance - 20 tips
The Improving Upright Performance Class is designed to help technicians look at the whole piano system. If you know what to look for, you'll be seen as a professional. The tips in this class will help you quickly diagnose problems and fix them. Topics include: tuning instability, bedding actions, ironing key bushings, fixing damper rod problems & addressing pedal issues. A detailed handout is included.
Yuji Nakamura
NZ
Yuji Nakamura ARPT is an active member of New Zealand Guild and Australasian Piano Tuners Association. He is originally from Japan and has been living in New Zealand for 26 years.
After graduating from Yamaha Piano Academy at age 19, he was employed by Yamaha Corporation where he got to experience in many aspects of the manufacturing of uprights, grands and concert grands in Yamaha factories. He also worked as concert technician in the Tokyo and Hokkaido branches.
He left Yamaha after 9 years and was invited by Hokkaido Music Academy to be director of the piano technology course. After immigrating to New Zealand in 1999, he worked at Jenkin Piano Service in Auckland. Since 2018 he has been working independently.
NZ
Yuji Nakamura ARPT is an active member of New Zealand Guild and Australasian Piano Tuners Association. He is originally from Japan and has been living in New Zealand for 26 years.
After graduating from Yamaha Piano Academy at age 19, he was employed by Yamaha Corporation where he got to experience in many aspects of the manufacturing of uprights, grands and concert grands in Yamaha factories. He also worked as concert technician in the Tokyo and Hokkaido branches.
He left Yamaha after 9 years and was invited by Hokkaido Music Academy to be director of the piano technology course. After immigrating to New Zealand in 1999, he worked at Jenkin Piano Service in Auckland. Since 2018 he has been working independently.
How to Fix and Improve Grand Damping: Tips and Techniques
The damper pedal should work quietly and effectively, a very important part of piano playing. Leaky notes and squeaky noises during playing will cause a distraction for pianists and interrupts their musical inspiration.
We will start by looking at the basic functioning of the grand piano damper mechanism. From there, we will have a close-up look at the contact points between strings and damper felts, where the leaks and noises occur. We will discuss the condition of the string surface and the optimal shape of the felt where it meets the strings. We will also trace the mechanism from pedal up to damper lever, to identify and eliminate the annoying noises.
The damper pedal should work quietly and effectively, a very important part of piano playing. Leaky notes and squeaky noises during playing will cause a distraction for pianists and interrupts their musical inspiration.
We will start by looking at the basic functioning of the grand piano damper mechanism. From there, we will have a close-up look at the contact points between strings and damper felts, where the leaks and noises occur. We will discuss the condition of the string surface and the optimal shape of the felt where it meets the strings. We will also trace the mechanism from pedal up to damper lever, to identify and eliminate the annoying noises.
David Kinney
AU
David Kinney is an accomplished piano technician with decades of experience, specializing in the rebuilding, restoration, and maintenance of high-end pianos. He graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1986 with a focus on Piano Technology and has since built an extensive career in both technical operations and consultancy within the piano industry.
David spent nearly two decades as a freelance piano technician. He was a design consultant for Samick in 2006/2007 and since 2010 he has been the Piano Technical Manager at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he manages maintenance, tuning, and repairs while leading a team of technicians and mentoring students in the art of piano technology.
His reputation for excellence has led him to work on some of the world’s finest pianos, including those used in prestigious international competitions such as the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow (2019), the Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv (2017), and the Sydney International Piano Competition (2016 and 2023). He has also collaborated with Fazioli on his innovative soundboard designs and diagnostic algorithms.
With a deep understanding of both the technical and artistic aspects of piano craftsmanship, David is a leader in his field and continues to shape the future of piano technology through his work in restoration, consultation, and education.
Piano Touch Design 1: Static Touch Weight
Understanding downweight, upweight and friction and how to adjust them.
Piano Touch Design 2: Dynamic Touch Weight
How to customise touch weight and understand the effects of inertia and action geometry. This class will have a look at the Stanwood method and the role that strike weight and action geometry play.
AU
David Kinney is an accomplished piano technician with decades of experience, specializing in the rebuilding, restoration, and maintenance of high-end pianos. He graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1986 with a focus on Piano Technology and has since built an extensive career in both technical operations and consultancy within the piano industry.
David spent nearly two decades as a freelance piano technician. He was a design consultant for Samick in 2006/2007 and since 2010 he has been the Piano Technical Manager at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he manages maintenance, tuning, and repairs while leading a team of technicians and mentoring students in the art of piano technology.
His reputation for excellence has led him to work on some of the world’s finest pianos, including those used in prestigious international competitions such as the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow (2019), the Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv (2017), and the Sydney International Piano Competition (2016 and 2023). He has also collaborated with Fazioli on his innovative soundboard designs and diagnostic algorithms.
With a deep understanding of both the technical and artistic aspects of piano craftsmanship, David is a leader in his field and continues to shape the future of piano technology through his work in restoration, consultation, and education.
Piano Touch Design 1: Static Touch Weight
Understanding downweight, upweight and friction and how to adjust them.
Piano Touch Design 2: Dynamic Touch Weight
How to customise touch weight and understand the effects of inertia and action geometry. This class will have a look at the Stanwood method and the role that strike weight and action geometry play.
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George Buss & Nathan Ehresman
USA George Buss joined Gazelle in the Spring of 2019 to help streamline users’ onboarding experience and build resources to help grow their piano service business. He helped the team launch Gazelle School of Business and provides business coaching services to piano technicians in the Gazelle community. With a history in education, program development, and customer experience he brings a unique approach to the way we think about and execute our business. Nathan Ehresman brings decades of software engineering and operational experience to the Gazelle team, focusing on the parts of the code that users all rely on but almost never see. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, he brings a passion for writing clean, fast code. Nathan’s software development expertise minimizes downtime, keeps services running smoothly, and enables Gazelle to leverage infrastructure that most niche software products struggle to maintain. This includes integrations with other products and vendors like Google Maps, Stripe, Mailchimp, Twilio, and QuickBooks Online. |
Grow With Gazelle
Learn how you can use Gazelle to save time, wow your customers, and grow your piano service business. In this lecture we will bring decades of business experience together to help you grow your business using the tools Gazelle offers like online scheduling, automated reminders, invoices, payment solutions, estimates, and more.
Finding and Retaining New Customers
You shouldn’t have to be an advertising executive to build a successful small business. In this class we are going to teach you how to take any size marketing budget and turn it into a profitable marketing tool that helps find and retain great customers.
Learn how you can use Gazelle to save time, wow your customers, and grow your piano service business. In this lecture we will bring decades of business experience together to help you grow your business using the tools Gazelle offers like online scheduling, automated reminders, invoices, payment solutions, estimates, and more.
Finding and Retaining New Customers
You shouldn’t have to be an advertising executive to build a successful small business. In this class we are going to teach you how to take any size marketing budget and turn it into a profitable marketing tool that helps find and retain great customers.
Sally Phillips
USA
Over the past 48 years, piano technician Sally Phillips has worked in virtually every aspect of the piano industry: service, retail, wholesale, rebuilding and manufacturing. In her role as a concert piano technician, she has tuned and prepared pianos for concert and recording work in such venues as Town Hall in New York City, Alice Tully Hall, Yale School of Music, the Kennedy Center, and for orchestras: the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic on their visits to the USA. She is a 1976 graduate of the North Bennet Street School's piano technology program, and is retiring to concentrate on teaching piano technology.
USA
Over the past 48 years, piano technician Sally Phillips has worked in virtually every aspect of the piano industry: service, retail, wholesale, rebuilding and manufacturing. In her role as a concert piano technician, she has tuned and prepared pianos for concert and recording work in such venues as Town Hall in New York City, Alice Tully Hall, Yale School of Music, the Kennedy Center, and for orchestras: the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic on their visits to the USA. She is a 1976 graduate of the North Bennet Street School's piano technology program, and is retiring to concentrate on teaching piano technology.
Sally will be presenting two Masterclasses via Zoom:
Piano Tuning 1: Basic Tuning techniques
Tuning hammers position, positioning of the body, tuning stability, setting pins and recognition of tuning obstacles and solutions. A great class for trainees and a reboot for older technicians to minimize time and damage to muscles and tendons.
Piano Tuning 2 Masterclass: Applying tuning techniques to concert and recording work. The relationship between tuning and voicing. Mechanical issues that affect voicing and tuning. Why you have to tone regulate (filing, shaping, spacing, traveling, fitting) before tuning.
Piano Tuning 1: Basic Tuning techniques
Tuning hammers position, positioning of the body, tuning stability, setting pins and recognition of tuning obstacles and solutions. A great class for trainees and a reboot for older technicians to minimize time and damage to muscles and tendons.
Piano Tuning 2 Masterclass: Applying tuning techniques to concert and recording work. The relationship between tuning and voicing. Mechanical issues that affect voicing and tuning. Why you have to tone regulate (filing, shaping, spacing, traveling, fitting) before tuning.
Stephen Powell
NZ
Stephen Powell ARPT has been working with pianos for 40 years – tuning, repairing and rebuilding. He has a BMus from Auckland University and a BHealSc(MRT) from Otago University.
In 1998 he became an RPT in the USA and ARPT in NZ later that year. He has always had a strong interest in piano design and has been rescaling and supplying bass strings to the trade for the last 25+ years. He has visited a number of piano factories around the world and enjoys the challenges of creating tools and jigs to improve efficiency in the workshop. Stephen has been active on the NZPTTG committee for a number of years and has hosted several technical weekends.
NZ
Stephen Powell ARPT has been working with pianos for 40 years – tuning, repairing and rebuilding. He has a BMus from Auckland University and a BHealSc(MRT) from Otago University.
In 1998 he became an RPT in the USA and ARPT in NZ later that year. He has always had a strong interest in piano design and has been rescaling and supplying bass strings to the trade for the last 25+ years. He has visited a number of piano factories around the world and enjoys the challenges of creating tools and jigs to improve efficiency in the workshop. Stephen has been active on the NZPTTG committee for a number of years and has hosted several technical weekends.
Getting the most out of your Upright Rebuilds
Putting new strings and hammers on old pianos and calling it “restored” often doesn’t cut it! In this class, we’ll be looking at trying to make old uprights as musical as possible during rebuilding. There will be an emphasis on the piano’s design limitations and what can and can’t be corrected or modified. I’ll be looking at improving the response of old soundboards and improving the scaling with an in-depth look at string design along with some string myth-busting.
Putting new strings and hammers on old pianos and calling it “restored” often doesn’t cut it! In this class, we’ll be looking at trying to make old uprights as musical as possible during rebuilding. There will be an emphasis on the piano’s design limitations and what can and can’t be corrected or modified. I’ll be looking at improving the response of old soundboards and improving the scaling with an in-depth look at string design along with some string myth-busting.
David Salmon
NZ
David Salmon ARPT grew up in Golden Bay, trained in Auckland and now works as a piano tuner and rebuilder in Christchurch. During his thirteen-year tenure with Jenkin Pianos, David attended training at Steinway Hamburg and was invited to do the Concert Academy course. David is proud to be involved with and contribute frequently to the NZ Piano Tuners and Technician's Guild.
Other interests include Studio recording and producing; Acoustics; Carpentry and metalwork; playing guitar, drums and singing.
The latest in Glue and Lubricant Technology
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NZ
David Salmon ARPT grew up in Golden Bay, trained in Auckland and now works as a piano tuner and rebuilder in Christchurch. During his thirteen-year tenure with Jenkin Pianos, David attended training at Steinway Hamburg and was invited to do the Concert Academy course. David is proud to be involved with and contribute frequently to the NZ Piano Tuners and Technician's Guild.
Other interests include Studio recording and producing; Acoustics; Carpentry and metalwork; playing guitar, drums and singing.
The latest in Glue and Lubricant Technology
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Julian Morgan-Smith
AU
Julian Morgan-Smith APTTA has been the Piano Technical Manager for Yamaha Music Australia since 2019 and Vice President of the Piano Tuners & Technicians Guild of Victoria.
Julian received his initial training at the Australasian School of Piano Technology in Melbourne before he went on to work as a self-employed technician. Julian has since worked in Sydney as a technician at the Steinway & Sons dealership, Theme and Variations Piano Services. Julian returned to Melbourne before working at Yamaha Music Australia in 2019 as their head piano technician, where he furthered his training at the Yamaha Piano Technical Academy in Japan, achieving Grand Master and Concert Master technician status.
Yamaha hybrid piano servicing
In Australia/NZ, around 1 in 4 new Yamaha acoustic pianos sold between 2018-2024 had some type of additional hybrid functionality, either the Silent, TransAcoustic or Disklavier system. This ratio increases even more to around 1 in 3 in North America and Japan, and 1 in 2 in Europe.
In this presentation, Julian Morgan-Smith will cover the Yamaha range of hybrid pianos in terms of servicing, calibrating, and troubleshooting. Building confidence in this evolving area of piano technology will help allow technicians to broaden their professional scope for new and existing clients.
AU
Julian Morgan-Smith APTTA has been the Piano Technical Manager for Yamaha Music Australia since 2019 and Vice President of the Piano Tuners & Technicians Guild of Victoria.
Julian received his initial training at the Australasian School of Piano Technology in Melbourne before he went on to work as a self-employed technician. Julian has since worked in Sydney as a technician at the Steinway & Sons dealership, Theme and Variations Piano Services. Julian returned to Melbourne before working at Yamaha Music Australia in 2019 as their head piano technician, where he furthered his training at the Yamaha Piano Technical Academy in Japan, achieving Grand Master and Concert Master technician status.
Yamaha hybrid piano servicing
In Australia/NZ, around 1 in 4 new Yamaha acoustic pianos sold between 2018-2024 had some type of additional hybrid functionality, either the Silent, TransAcoustic or Disklavier system. This ratio increases even more to around 1 in 3 in North America and Japan, and 1 in 2 in Europe.
In this presentation, Julian Morgan-Smith will cover the Yamaha range of hybrid pianos in terms of servicing, calibrating, and troubleshooting. Building confidence in this evolving area of piano technology will help allow technicians to broaden their professional scope for new and existing clients.
Phil Glenn
USA
For over 50 years, Phil Glenn RPT has worked alongside many of the brightest and best in the piano world. Experts like Steinway V.P. Joe Pramberger, the head of Yamaha Corp. America's Technical and Concert Services Yoji Susuki and designer Del Fandrich.
From the late 1980s to 2008, Phil was a Technical Representative for Yamaha Corporation of America, then North American Service Manager for Young Chang America and later, Samick USA.
Phil has helped both YC and Samick factories with design, quality control and marketing.
In 1993 Phil attended the Yamaha Academy in Japan. He has taught over 100 technicals for the PTG and dealerships across the US and Canada. Phil and his wife Lyn currently live near Honolulu where they own a service business. Phil is also the tech for the Hawaii Symphony and the University of Hawaii.
USA
For over 50 years, Phil Glenn RPT has worked alongside many of the brightest and best in the piano world. Experts like Steinway V.P. Joe Pramberger, the head of Yamaha Corp. America's Technical and Concert Services Yoji Susuki and designer Del Fandrich.
From the late 1980s to 2008, Phil was a Technical Representative for Yamaha Corporation of America, then North American Service Manager for Young Chang America and later, Samick USA.
Phil has helped both YC and Samick factories with design, quality control and marketing.
In 1993 Phil attended the Yamaha Academy in Japan. He has taught over 100 technicals for the PTG and dealerships across the US and Canada. Phil and his wife Lyn currently live near Honolulu where they own a service business. Phil is also the tech for the Hawaii Symphony and the University of Hawaii.
Unizen: The Art of building a Foundation of Musicality in Every Piano
This class looks at different techniques covering aspects of tuning, voicing, regulation, etc with the goal of making a piano sing. Phil will demonstrate his favorite techniques and compare them with other approaches and he will be asking the class for their input.
Specifications are important but this is a class that touches more on feel than specs. It is more about how we perceive musicality rather than flowing a spec sheet standard.
“My style is very interactive and open. I encourage questions with a goal of getting into the heart of why we do what we do. “
This class looks at different techniques covering aspects of tuning, voicing, regulation, etc with the goal of making a piano sing. Phil will demonstrate his favorite techniques and compare them with other approaches and he will be asking the class for their input.
Specifications are important but this is a class that touches more on feel than specs. It is more about how we perceive musicality rather than flowing a spec sheet standard.
“My style is very interactive and open. I encourage questions with a goal of getting into the heart of why we do what we do. “
Yoshitake Suzuki
Japan
Yoshitake Suzuki ("Yoshi") was born in 1959. He graduated from Yamaha Piano Technical Academy in 1983 and worked at Yamaha until last year 2024. In his career he has fulfilled the roles of factory voicing technician, service manager at Yamaha Europe in Hamburg, senior technical manager of Yamaha Artist Services in New York, director of Yamaha Corporation of America in California and service manager at Yamaha head quarters in Hamamatsu.
When in Hamburg, Yoshi took 15 “Klavierbaumeister” to Japan on a technical and cultural tour. He translated Andre Oorebeek's book on voicing and prepared Yamaha technical bulletins for the PTG. In Germany, Yoshi collaborated with Jack Brand of FFW Felt on hammer felt research.
He gave a presentation at the Hamamatsu international IAPBT convention 2019, where he introduced Yamaha’s latest piano design technology by showing four different types of unison tuning using computer modeling and Yamaha audio systems.
Yoshi's hobby is photography.
My Organic Voicing Method
When voicing, the balance between the upper and lower side of a hammer plays an important role. In this class, Yoshi introduces a new approach to finding the right balance of hammer shaping and hardness of the lower side of the hammer to create a good foundation for voicing.
In the second half of his presentation, Yoshi will demonstrate how to voice for the best possible balance when sitting in front of hammers at your work. This method can be applied not only to used pianos but also new instruments.
Japan
Yoshitake Suzuki ("Yoshi") was born in 1959. He graduated from Yamaha Piano Technical Academy in 1983 and worked at Yamaha until last year 2024. In his career he has fulfilled the roles of factory voicing technician, service manager at Yamaha Europe in Hamburg, senior technical manager of Yamaha Artist Services in New York, director of Yamaha Corporation of America in California and service manager at Yamaha head quarters in Hamamatsu.
When in Hamburg, Yoshi took 15 “Klavierbaumeister” to Japan on a technical and cultural tour. He translated Andre Oorebeek's book on voicing and prepared Yamaha technical bulletins for the PTG. In Germany, Yoshi collaborated with Jack Brand of FFW Felt on hammer felt research.
He gave a presentation at the Hamamatsu international IAPBT convention 2019, where he introduced Yamaha’s latest piano design technology by showing four different types of unison tuning using computer modeling and Yamaha audio systems.
Yoshi's hobby is photography.
My Organic Voicing Method
When voicing, the balance between the upper and lower side of a hammer plays an important role. In this class, Yoshi introduces a new approach to finding the right balance of hammer shaping and hardness of the lower side of the hammer to create a good foundation for voicing.
In the second half of his presentation, Yoshi will demonstrate how to voice for the best possible balance when sitting in front of hammers at your work. This method can be applied not only to used pianos but also new instruments.
Wytze Hoekstra
NZ
Wytze Hoekstra ARPT was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to New Zealand forty years ago. He is an ARPT member of the NZPTTG. Wytze is active in Guild activities as past president and frequent workshop presenter. He has given presentations at conventions in New Zealand, Australia and Germany.
He is married to Janet Dean, with whom he runs the Hoekstra Pianos showroom in Ferrymead, Christchurch. Janet currently has her hands full as key organizer of the 2025 New Zealand Convention.
Since 2022 Wytze has been working on finding a way to get toxic lead out of pianos, initially with a team of NZ tuners and later with APS in Australia who manufactures the lead-free key weights.
Wytze's musical interests are playing jazz piano and tango bandoneon, attending classical concerts and listening to opera.
NZ
Wytze Hoekstra ARPT was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to New Zealand forty years ago. He is an ARPT member of the NZPTTG. Wytze is active in Guild activities as past president and frequent workshop presenter. He has given presentations at conventions in New Zealand, Australia and Germany.
He is married to Janet Dean, with whom he runs the Hoekstra Pianos showroom in Ferrymead, Christchurch. Janet currently has her hands full as key organizer of the 2025 New Zealand Convention.
Since 2022 Wytze has been working on finding a way to get toxic lead out of pianos, initially with a team of NZ tuners and later with APS in Australia who manufactures the lead-free key weights.
Wytze's musical interests are playing jazz piano and tango bandoneon, attending classical concerts and listening to opera.
Lead Replacement and Key Inertia
Pianos can contain up to 2.5 kg of lead, a neurotoxin ranked among the World Health Organization's Top Ten most hazardous substances. With increasing regulatory scrutiny, especially in Europe, Wytze began exploring alternatives in 2022, experimenting with tungsten. In collaboration with APS this eventually led to TungSteel key and hammer weights, successfully showcased at the 2024 EuroPiano Convention in Nuremberg and the Reno USA PTG Convention, to positive feedback.
Current piano key-weight alternatives, primarily using stainless steel and brass, have lower density which naturally impacts touch weight and becomes a problem in the bass of larger grand pianos. Wytze addresses the touch weight ramifications and examines solutions to reduce inertia and enhance key return speed in grand pianos.
"When we dump a piano at the end of life, the lead it contains eventually makes its way into the groundwater, and our great-grandchildren are at risk of drinking it..."
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Kevin Hannah & Nathan Smith
NZ Kevin Hanna ARPT started his piano tuning apprenticeship in 2000, training to Australasian Registered Piano Tech examiner standard. Kevin is past president and committee member of the NZ Piano Tuners Guild. He is currently the NZ exam convenor and tuning examiner for the Guild. He has presented rebuilding topics at numerous workshop weekends and was lecturer at the APTTA Convention in Wellington 2011. Kevin plays the piano for theatre productions such as Chicago, Chess, The Producers, Spamalot and the Addams Family. Technician Nathan Smith ARPT draws on years of expertise to restore upright and grand pianos to a high standard. Alongside Kevin he is passionately working on player pianos and historical instruments like the legendary Photoplayer, Nickelodeons and Orchestrions. Nathan flawlessly rebuilds, repolishes and restrings instruments to give them a new musical life.
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Restoring Historical Player Pianos
Strategy, Materials and Techniques
The Nickelodeon Collection — An Audiovisual Extravaganza
The Convention displays Kevin and Nathan's fascinating collection of restored mechanical instruments, featuring pianos, violins, drums and even a banjo — all housed in stunning cabinets. A rare treat for anyone passionate about player piano history and technology.
"What comes out of these instruments is pure joy" J.D.
Brad McClure & Christina Früh
NZ
NZ
Brad McClure ARPT is an active member and past president of NZPTTG. He did his training in the eighties in an Invercargill piano workshop where he also learned to repair violins, player pianos and reed organs. Brad is a multi instrumentalist who has toured in North America and Australia, playing keyboards, guitar, bouzouki, fiddle and more with a celtic rock group.
Brad is interested in critical thinking and skepticism, and believes that embracing changing one's mind when presented with new information is an important skill in itself. Us old techs can get stuck in our ways, and we should always listen to new ideas and evaluate them scientifically. |
Christina Früh ARPT did her apprenticeship in Germany in the early 2000s, and worked in several piano workshops before moving to New Zealand in 2013. She started working for Jenkin Piano Service in Auckland doing rebuilding and repair work. Together with her partner William Humbert she now runs her own business, Piano Corner. Christina's focus has always been on piano repair and rebuilding, as well as case repair such as veneer and modern finishes.
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Polyester Repair and Ivory Repair On Site
1) Polyester repair
Piano technicians often come across high gloss Polyester pianos that got damaged during transport.
There are different types of damage - like scratches, dents and chips - and in this class I will talk about Polyester repairs on site and in the workshop. We will discuss the tools and materials to use as well as practical tips for a satisfying result.
2) Ivory Repair
Brad will demonstrate how to use Acryli-key(tm) to repair ivory key tops. An easy way to get chips in an ivory keyboard restored on site.
1) Polyester repair
Piano technicians often come across high gloss Polyester pianos that got damaged during transport.
There are different types of damage - like scratches, dents and chips - and in this class I will talk about Polyester repairs on site and in the workshop. We will discuss the tools and materials to use as well as practical tips for a satisfying result.
2) Ivory Repair
Brad will demonstrate how to use Acryli-key(tm) to repair ivory key tops. An easy way to get chips in an ivory keyboard restored on site.
Piano Plaza
