Global Piano Service

OUR TEAM

Piano Servicing

George Kolasis

George is known internationally as a piano technician of the highest standard.?He studied piano building for 3 years at university in Vienna prior to joining Bösendorfer, to complete their apprentice programme. Here he specialised in all aspects of piano building, and ultimately became one of Bösendorfer’s most senior technicians, renowned for his superior abilities in troubleshooting, regulation and voicing.

During the 1980’s, George was a highly valued member of Bösendorfer’s small team of travelling technicians, servicing pianos in Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Spain, USA, Canada and North Africa. After leaving Bösendorfer, he worked in and around London alongside Peter Salisbury, rebuilding and servicing top class pianos including Steinway, Bechstein, Fazioli, Ibach and Yamaha. At this time, George also worked on pianos at London’s South Bank, the Royal Academy of Music, Wigmore Hall and Henry Wood Hall.

?In 1990 George returned to his native Canada where he became the personal piano technician for many prestigious artists, venues and events. These included the late Oscar Peterson, Toronto’s Glenn Gould School of Music, CBC and EMI recordings in Toronto, the Universities of McMaster (Hamilton) and St Catherine’s (Brock). In addition, he has worked closely with various international piano competitions as well as Remenyi House of Music (Steinway dealership) and Merriam Music (Fazioli dealership). Some of the many names George has worked for include Maurizio Pollini, Leonard Bernstein, Radu Lupu, Andras Schiff, Vladimir Ashkenazy as well as Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, George Benson, Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis.
?One of George’s favourite career moments was when working on Oscar Peterson’s personal Bösendorfer Imperial. On completing the work, Dr Peterson checked out ‘George’s genius with pianos’ and began to play. George also played a few notes, and when questioned why, he was able to say ‘now I have played with the great Oscar Peterson!’

George speaks English and German.
  

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

Oscar Peterson

I consider myself to be very fortunate in knowing that my own personal piano is under the watchful and talented hands of George Kolasis. His dedication and concern is displayed in the incredible sound that my instrument has in his care. I can only stress here that his talent for bringing out the individual characteristics of an instrument is absolutely amazing. Apart from my being a friend of George Kolasis, I consider him a genius with pianos.
 
 

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Peter Salisbury

Peter started his career serving a 10 year apprenticeship as a ‘Concert Piano Technician’ with Steinway in London. His experience whilst at Steinway culminated in the position of ‘Workshop Master Technician’, responsible for training a team of technicians and finishing grand piano restoration projects. He was also responsible for the quarterly maintenance of the BBC pianos throughout London. During this time he played an active part in the concert piano division tuning all over London in venues such as the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music, the BBC … Read more »

John Ross

John served 44 years in the Technical Department of Steinway & Sons, London. Since his introduction as an apprentice in 1964 under both Bob and Mike Glazebrook, he has worked his way to the top. John’s experience within the piano rebuilding and concert technician business is simply huge. Since his apprenticeship days, he has been both hands on, and responsible for overseeing the rebuilding, repairing and servicing of hundreds of Steinway grand and upright pianos. He has represented Steinway on the concert stage throughout the UK and beyond. During the 1970’s, he worked during the day as a workshop technician, … Read more »

Glenn Easley

Glenn has worked in the piano industry since 1981. He studied Piano Technology in London and subsequently trained at Steinway Hall in London under the supervision of Bob Glazebrook. He worked as a concert tuner in London gaining invaluable experience at EMI Abbey Road, The BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre, many of London’s BBC studios and all of the London orchestras. He was later appointed as Steinway’s Technical Representative for the North of England, Wales and Scotland. Clients at the time included the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Leeds International Piano Competition, various BBC venues and many concert pianists’ … Read more »

Ron Craig

Ron started his career in Sydney Australia in 1964, serving an extensive apprenticeship with Paling’s Pianos. He is proudly ‘old school’ having been privileged to the most thorough training possible, covering all aspects of piano building and refurbishing through to concert work at the highest level. His vast knowledge encompasses uprights, player pianos, and particularly ‘Victorian’ and concert pianos. Ron has a huge degree of experience as a concert technician spanning 40 years, holding the prestigious position of ‘resident technician’ at Sydney’s Opera House during the late 1970’s and early 80’s where he developed working relationships with many of the … Read more »

Ken Ringham

Ken joined Steinway & Sons at their London workshops as an apprentice technician in 1969. He was apprenticed to John Ross, under the supervision of the workshop manager at that time, Mike Glazebrook. Ken specialised in grand rebuilding, in particular action fitting and finishing, stringing, bridge capping, wrest plank replacement and soundboard repairs. He was part of Steinway’s travelling service team, working in venues such as the Royal Northern College of Music. He left Steinways in 1986 and moved to work with Peter Salisbury rebuilding Steinway, Bechstein, Bösendorfer and Bluthner pianos amongst others. As a specialist regulator technician, Ken was … Read more »

Tommy Earles

Tommy served his seven year apprenticeship with Steinway & Sons in London from 1968 until 1975. His talents were recognised early and by the late 1970’s he had been promoted to the position of Head Polisher. He became not only in charge of all casework repolishing, but was also responsible for all training within the department. His experience is simply massive, having worked on thousands of pianos at the very highest level. Tommy’s best known work includes the infamous white piano of John Lennon, stage instruments used by Sir Elton John, and even Queen Elizabeth II’s own piano. Tommy made … Read more »

Paul Harris

Paul started his polishing career as an apprentice with Steinway & Sons in 1987. Since this time he has developed a reputation as one of the most talented and skilled polishers of his generation. With Steinway & Sons he developed skills in polyester repairs, french polish and cellulose finishing. In the early 1990’s he left Steinway & Sons to take employment with one of the UK’s leading specialist polishing companies, J R Beadons. He worked with a team of 25 polishers in some of London’s most exclusive properties and venues – including Buckingham Palace and the residence of the world’s … Read more »

John Heard

John joined Steinway’s London Service Centre as an apprentice in 1980 studying all aspects of piano servicing and rebuilding. In addition to his intense training in the workshop, he was given the opportunity to gain invaluable experience ‘in the field’ as he demonstrated a particular interest and talent in fine tuning and concert work. With Steinway, he was given responsibility for the BBC’s piano maintenance, as well as institutional tuning and servicing throughout London’s premiere recording and concert venues. After leaving Steinway, John joined Peter Salisbury’s elite team of technicians at the Henley Piano Galleries, the UK’s premier independent retailer … Read more »