Project Abstract
As an institution of higher learning, The Crane School of Music is emerging as a place to learn musical instrument repair. Specialized tools are required for brass, woodwind, and percussion. To make Piano Technology education accessible for SUNY Potsdam students, the tool library collected with the assistance of a Kilmer Grant allows students to explore the field under the guidance of an experienced expert without the expensive start up costs.
Faculty Bio
Ryan Mix (BMus Ed '04) presently serves as the Senior Piano Technician for the Crane School of Music and manages the service needs of over 100 Steinway pianos. His formal training is rooted in large music schools: The University of Western Ontario (London, ON) where he earned a Certificate in Piano Technology and Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL) where he earned his Master's in Music in Piano Technology. Ryan maintains an active membership as a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild.
"When students see their peers engaging in Piano Technology, they develop an awareness that the instrument they depend on is actively changing, needs frequent detailed maintenance attention; and the entire music community begins to insist upon itself better habits to care for the pianos collectively."
Crane School of Music
Students
- Marcus Smith
- Brandon Phelps
Questions?
Students interested in participating in this project can contact Ryan Mix at mixrm@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2468.