Pianotech

  • 1.  Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Posted 04-18-2023 08:44

    I would like to personally thank John Parham and Maggie Jusiel for hosting the Appalacian Piano Tech playground this past weekend In Pipestem, West Virginia.  I would also like to thank  facilitators Dave Conte, Michael Gutowski, Shane Lowther and other folks for being there to assist and answer our questions.  I for one had a wonderful time.  It was a chance to learn hands on tips and tricks to common and not so common repairs, to work with action models to increase regulation knowledge, and to work on learning stations that covered some items on the tech exam.  All tasks performed in an unhurried atmosphere. 

    But most of all for me, it was a chance to have some community with other piano tuners.  To encourage and be encouraged in our craft.  The surroundings were beautiful and the bonfire was a lot of fun with singing and general bonhomie.  I hope to attend more of these sorts of events in the future.



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    Patrick Greene
    OWNER
    Knoxville TN
    (865) 384-6582
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  • 2.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-18-2023 18:14

    Patrick, my chapter also had this, back in February, with our RVP Gina Bonfietti. Your sentiments describe

    the experience so well. I'm submitting a short piece to the Journal and think it would be fun to have both

    of us do so. It would be a great promo for the Playground. Many people participated who don't normally

    attend conventions and get that opportunity. What do you think?

    Ruth Zeiner

     






  • 3.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-18-2023 18:43

    Patrick! Thank you so much. It was wonderful to connect with you and hang for the day after. The other 2 tech helpers were Andy Lyford and Jeff Skousen. I appreciate them all more than words can express. :-) 

    Ruth - Cool! I also plan to write an article. If you would like to collaborate, just let me know. ;-) 



    ------------------------------
    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Posted 04-18-2023 19:58

    Maggie,

    I had remembered Andy and Jeff, but couldn't remember their last names, so thank you for the clarification.  Definitely yourself and Ruth should put something together for the Journal.   My hope is that the journal could have a page in it somewhere that celebrates local get togethers across the country.  I am much interested in reading about the other chapters across the country.  I am hoping that as my own skills increase, I will be able to give back to the people and the organization that has meant so much to me over the years.



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Greene
    OWNER
    Knoxville TN
    (865) 384-6582
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-18-2023 20:33

    That's a great idea! I will suggest it to the Journal peeps. :-) 



    ------------------------------
    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-20-2023 23:23
    What I would like to know is how we could get this to happen for our chapter (Appleton WI)?
    Of course, we'd open it up to adjacent chapters...

    Keith Akins, RPT
    Piano Technologist
    715/775-0022 Mon-Sat 9a-9p
    Find me on LinkedIn





  • 7.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-21-2023 10:09

    Keith,

    I contacted my RVP, Gina Bonfietti, as she was working with the Playground in her Connecticut

    chapter. I wanted to go as big as possible with it. I posted it to the NE region discussion group

    which led to a few members from NJ participating, and another chapter in PA, South Central,

    so Gina could combine the visit. It was a great success. We had 28 people, very smoothly run

    due to Gina's setup and work throughout the day. A local dealer hosted us, which brought in

    some of his staff. Our SEPA chapter members had a super day, high energy, lot of interaction.

    Ruth Zeiner

     






  • 8.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-21-2023 12:46

    As Ruth suggested, contact your RVP Mike Gutowski first. There's plenty of volunteer talent in the Madison area, and I'm sure a crew of volunteers from the Chicago area would be thrilled to help. The materials can be shipped out to your chapter from the Home Office, local volunteer members can staff the stations. Publicize the event in your region and have some fun!



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    Patrick Draine RPT
    Billerica MA
    (978) 663-9690
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  • 9.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-22-2023 10:36
    Thanks for these responses about how to move forward with a "Playground".

    Keith Akins, RPT
    Piano Technologist
    715/775-0022 Mon-Sat 9a-9p
    Find me on LinkedIn





  • 10.  RE: Appalachian Piano Tech Playground

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-22-2023 11:15

    Hi Keith,

    I will be writing an article, but will post some things here as well if you like. 

    Gotta go play music for a festival but will be back. 😉

    Mags



    ------------------------------
    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
    ------------------------------