Li,
I suppose if Paul Williams replied, I'd better chime in since I, too, worked at UNL. Being at the flagship university for Nebraska, you are in prime position to help technicians in the area. I can't tell you how many techs came to consult, or ask for help. Since there are many "practice" pianos in the building, bushing, or repining, or restringing, or regulation, or tuning are all available for someone who wants some guided instruction. And they can be helpful as they learn. Whether you have a full blown program, or are just there for part-time instruction, you will have to decide what your time is worth. Every time you teach you're not doing actual piano service. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just keep working than spend time helping a novice technician. But I enjoyed the teaching and felt that it was part of my job to reach out to the community. For every university technician there are a dozen outside technicians many of whom need help.
One thing that hasn't come up since you posted is the opportunity to make use of PTG. PTG has a lot of resources. Encouraging people to join can expose them to a community of technicians who are striving to learn and be better technicians. The Nebraska chapter has been working with nonmembers and Associates for years spreading the message of continuing education and basic knowledge and standards. The chapter experimented with a curriculum which had mixed results. But the camaraderie was and is great and shouldn't be underestimated. Yes, having a full-blown 2 or 3 or 4 year curriculum would be laudable. But it's a lot of work and takes strong leadership to manage. Only a few schools have actually succeeded. I was always envious. But modest help offered in a friendly and encouraging way can also go a long way to encourage newbies to better themselves. Many people can't attend a full time school and are just looking for guidance. They are often highly motivated, and can be self taught or "homeschooled" with just occasional help from a technician such as yourself.
Many university techs teach a basic piano information class to piano majors and interested folks. This, too, is important. Before I offer to help a young student, I suggest that he or she takes the piano design class I used to teach. A few went on to become technicians. Most discovered how demanding the profession is and decided it wasn't for them. It's important to be up front and clear with interested folks. They often come to our profession with a sort of romantic idea of the self-employed, independent technician. It's sometimes hard to break through that without sounding discouraging or unhelpful. As you well know, there are many skill sets involved with our profession. There's a fine balance that makes a person successful
Good luck. I'm glad to see your posts in the PTG community. I hope that it's just the start of a long and helpful association. I was a reluctant PTG member in the beginning, but I've learned to appreciate it because of the wealth of knowledge and friendship that is freely given.
Richard West, Emeritus Staff Piano Technician, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. (Now retired and living in Oro Valley, AZ)
Original Message------
Thanks for the input, Paul! The reason of this thread (the List) is to get the students to see their possible potential to continue Piano Technology study in another higher learning institute, and hopefully keep them out of trouble! So far, I have 100% attendance every class and love to see sparkles in students souls.
Best,
Li
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Li Yeoh
Piano Technician & Lecturer, Piano Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE
402-472-2568
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2017 07:48
From: Paul Williams
Subject: University/School 1-2 year(s) Piano Technology Certification Program
I was at one of the Steinway training weeks at Oberlin in 2008, and they had several student shop workers. I forget if they also learned tuning as well, but I think so. It was at a point where the students who had been there a couple years were teaching the new students. They did everything shop wise at least. I would contact John there and ask; john.cavanaugh@oberlin.edu.
While at UNL (Univ of NE) before Li, I taught a basic one semester piano technology class but it was more like a "peek under the lid" type of class and didn't actually teach tuning. They only learned basic theories of tuning, regulation, and repairs with much hands-on practice. In other words, they learned just enough to get themselves into trouble!
Hi Li, hope you're still enjoying UNL!
Best,
Paul
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Paul T. Williams RPT
Director of Piano Services
School of Music
813 Assembly St
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2017 02:12
From: Israel Stein
Subject: University/School 1-2 year(s) Piano Technology Certification Program
Didn't John Cavanaugh start something like that at Oberlin Conservatory recently? Anybody have any info?
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Israel Stein RPT
P.O. Box 68141
Jerusalem, Israel 9168002
510-558-0777
istein248@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2017 23:15
From: Christopher Purdy
Subject: University/School 1-2 year(s) Piano Technology Certification Program
Does BYU offer a certificate? I know they employ students in the shop and tuning. I think I understood that to be the case. I have an independent study course but it's just a two credit class. Was the teaching position at Florida State filled?
Chris