Attended the Renner Academy Training Program

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May, 2017
The Renner Academy is an advanced training program produced by Renner USA (provider of fine piano action parts, hammers and tools to piano manufacturers, technicians and piano rebuilders). The week-long training program is offered every few months in Scottsdale, AZ, and technicians from around the world travel to attend this prestigious program. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Renner Academy this year.

Renner Academy
From left to right:
Carl Teel, Nick Gravagne, Michael Spreeman, Rick Baldassin, Mark Purney, Lloyd Meyer

In addition to excellent curriculum and hands-on training sessions, perhaps the program’s most valuable asset is the group of instructors that lead the program. Carl Teel has provided quality instruction at many PTG national and regional events. Nick Gravagne is well known for his action and soundboard rebuilding, and various programs he has developed for calculating action geometry and touch weighting for action rebuilding. Michael Spreeman of Spreeman Piano Innovations is the builder of the Ravenscroft Piano, one of the world’s finest concert pianos. Rick Baldassin is the author of “On Pitch,” one of the most well-known books (and series of DVDs) on aural piano tuning. Rick’s contributions to the industry are too long to list, but among his many achievements, Rick received the Golden Hammer Award, the highest award given by the Piano Technicians Guild.

I’m grateful to the Lloyd Meyer and the Meyer family for their hospitality and kindness, and making this not just a learning experience, but a memorable event and a fun time spent with friends, both old and new.

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About the Author:

Mark Purney is a Registered Piano Technician and owns Mesa Piano Service, along with his wife, Dawn Purney. Mark is also a pianist and woodworker, and has a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Cleveland State University.
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