Christopher Brown PT ’81, PA ’82
What led you to become a student at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ?
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. ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ provided exactly the professionalizing rigor I hoped for.
What was the best part of your ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ 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 ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ 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.