Pianos
June Wang is very proud of her company, Pearl River. She is an outstanding spokesperson for the China-based piano manufacturer. In fact, it was Ms. Wang who assisted the NAMM Oral History team to conduct an interview with the then-chairman, Zhi Cheng Tong back in 2006. Ten years later, at the...
Geoff Downes has seen the curve in technology throughout his musical career. Commonly known as a member of The Buggles, Geoff's successful musical career took off when he incorporated the changes of pro-audio and technology within his music. "Video Killed the Radio Star" not only catapulted the...
Marco Ragni is the president of Fatar, which has concentrated on the development of keyboard actions for electronic musical instrument. The company products include keyboards for digital pianos, synthesizers, and organs as well as the furniture used in technopolymer for synthesizers and...
Steve Bird joined the piano industry right out of school and established a life-long career that he has thoroughly enjoyed. While working for Sherman Clay, Steve was asked to open up several locations, which became a niche for him. Understanding and embracing the business element as well as the...
Deena Bird began teaching piano while she was still a teenager. She later established her own music school, which for a while was located in the Steinway Gallery of her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. One day while walking in the hall she met Lyle Bird, the father of the store’s owner. Well, the...
Don Holcombe owned and operated several music stores during his long career. Among the most noted stores were those he opened with fellow salesman Russell Lindquist in and around Houston under the name Holcombe-Lindquist Piano and Organ. The stores played a big part in the home organ boom of the...
Doug LaLonde was a professional musician before being drafted to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He played percussion in the army and while stationed in San Francisco began his long and successful career with the Sherman Clay retail chain. Doug began in the MI department but soon...
Jane Jones began her career as a piano technician while working in music retail. She noticed pianos in the repair shop lined up and wanted to do all she could to get those instruments back in the home making music. She began teaching herself as a tuner and soon joined the Piano Technicians Guild...
Paul Adams began his career as a piano technician in New Jersey after earning his degree in music at Rutgers University in 1972. Soon after establishing his business, Paul joined the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) to learn all he could about his profession. Within a few years it was Paul who was...
Jim Coleman Jr. has proudly served as president of the Piano Technicians Guilds (PTG) Board as well as provided classes and training for its members. He grew up in the industry and followed in his father’s footsteps, who also served the PTG over his long career. In addition to tuning, Jim Jr....