SIMON HUSBANDS
SIMON HUSBANDS studied Music Instrument Technology at Newark College, UK from 1994 to 1997. Simon graduated in 1997 with a Newark College Certificate in Piano Technology, and also a City and Guilds Certificate in Stringed Keyboard Manufacture. He has been working professionally in the piano industry since then, including 3 years as Technical Service Manager for Schmitt Music, one of the largest piano dealerships in the USA. He has presented to the Piano Technicians Guild, and has regularly appraised pianos, and also quality control inspected pianos in China. He is a Field Expert for the Dampp Chaser Piano Life Saver humidity system, as well a qualified technician for PianoDisc systems and QRS systems. He has been a tuner and technician for over 25 years and is familiar with pianos of many makes and types. Simon loves to talk about British music, and hosts a weekly radio show on that very topic! He has played in many bands and successes included a Billboard chart hit!
VICTOR JOHNSON
Victor Johnson graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he began studying the physics of strings in 2004, and his life path to both piano performance and piano technology was officially set in motion. In 2014, he specialized in piano restoration work for several years, rebuilding and refinishing antique pianos to sound and play like new again, once even fully restoring a piano that had been hit by a tornado!
As a tuner and technician, his work can be heard everywhere from Prince’s pianos at Paisley Park, to concert pianos for artists including Jack White, Jacob Collier, Kenny Barron, Mannheim Steamroller, and Bleachers, among many others.
MARTY McGINN
Marty McGinn has never been far from a piano. As a singer-songwriter Marty recalls the fateful day he chose piano over guitar as his main instrument. In 2005 he began playing piano professionally in a variety of settings, collaborating with bands, and performing original music under the pseudonym Art Elliot. A lifelong interest in piano tuning and repair led Marty to a 12 week course in piano technology in 2023. He is excited to begin helping fellow pianists keep their beloved instruments in tune and well maintained for generations to come. In addition to being a piano technician Marty currently teaches piano lessons. He holds degrees in music composition from The University of Iowa (BM, 2003) and Mills College (MA, 2005). Marty has tuned for Neil Young, American Public Media, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Children’s Theater Company, among others. A pianist of more than 30 years, Marty understands the importance of a well looked after piano. When not tuning pianos he is either playing piano, reading, or hanging out with his wife, son, and two cats.