Get To Know Our Technicians
Have You Seen Us Around Town?
Why Choose Vanguard Piano Service?
Our Registered Piano Technicians have Experience, Provide Excellent Service, and are Committed to Continued Education
Ty Uphoff | RPT
“While a passion for music and for sharing music is arguably not necessary for fine work on a piano, I couldn’t imagine doing this without it.”
Experienced Technician
When choosing a technician, experience matters. Ty Uphoff began his technical training at the age of 16. With over two decades of experience in multiple states he has serviced thousands of instruments. It takes years of training to learn the skills necessary to service a piano and more years afterwards to be able to do both quality work and do so in a timely manner. While experience is an important component of choosing your technician, arguably one could have decades of experience without advancing their knowledge.
In addition to over two decades experience as a technician, Ty plays the piano. His expertise in piano care and maintenance comes from a passion for achieving the best playing experience. While being capable at playing the piano may not be required to service one, playing well enough to speak the language of the most discerning players is critical when it comes to bringing the best out of their instruments.
Continued Education
Beginning with a one on one apprenticeship, Ty continues to further his education through monthly meetings of the local Piano Technicians Guild that include technical drills on many varying aspects of piano technology. He attends week long annual international conventions, continues to train with major manufacturers, and he attends regular webinars with industry leaders in various specific skills of the trade. Through extensive testing, he has passed all the requirements to become a Registered Piano Technician of the Guild, a credential achieved by fewer than a ten active technicians locally and fewer than 2,500 piano technicians worldwide.
“I always work with Ty, (three years now) but I’m sure the company has nothing but the best working for them. Ty is very efficient, respectful and knowledgeable. He keeps my Wurlitzer upright in excellent condition!! I would highly recommend!!”
— Janet Hogan via Google+
Erik Martin | RPT
“It is incredibly rewarding to me when I get the opportunity to take a piano from being barely playable to being fully functioning and looking new again”
Professional Technician
Erik grew up in O’Fallon, Missouri. His passion for the piano led him to Boston where he studied piano technology at North Bennett Street School, the oldest trade school in North America and widely considered to be the premier school of piano technology. Upon graduation, he went on to pass the rigorous RPT certification with the Piano Technician Guild which requires technicians to pass a series of tests including matching a “Master Tuning” aurally (by ear) without the aid of an electronic device. Erik became an RPT at age 22, making him the youngest RPT in St. Louis, accomplishing all of this while overcoming the added challenge of a hearing impairment he has had since birth. After school, Erik worked as a technician rebuilding pianos for the largest piano rebuilder in Portland. During this time, he developed a love for restoring the sound quality and aesthetic beauty of the instruments.
Continued Education
Erik attends national events with the Piano Technicians Guild and continues to train with other RPTs locally. While he brings a wealth of knowledge from his studies in Boston, he knows the importance of continuing to develop his craft by embracing opportunities to learn from others in the piano industry.
“Wonderful! It had been several years since we had our piano tuned. Erik was very professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and friendly during his visit. Our piano sounds great! Scheduling an appointment with Ashley was so easy and accommodating. She is very helpful! Price is reasonable and service is exceptional. I highly recommend Vanguard Piano Services!”
—Mary Beth Baker via Google+
Parker Olsen | RPT
“What I love about working on pianos is how personal it is, and how I am able to offer a real, tangible benefit to the people I get to work with.”
Piano Tuner and Music Technician
Parker began his career in piano technology in 2014 while he worked as a shop tech for a piano rebuilder in Utah. Since then, he has served as a piano tuner in Missouri and Utah, and while living abroad in Canada and Germany. Parker has a love for playing the piano as well, with eleven years of formal piano training under his belt. In addition, he is a music technologist, audio engineer, and trombonist. He has edited virtual performances for orchestras and universities all over the country. Parker has even recently recorded for The Kansas City Symphony.
Continued Education
Parker radiates love for learning and music. Parker earned his master’s in music technology from Southern Utah University in 2022. He never misses an opportunity to jump in and learn something new whether attending Piano Technician Guild meetings or working with other technicians in the field. In 2022, he completed the Piano Technician Guild’s certification exams, earning the designation of Registered Piano Technician (RPT).
“Parker was excellent. Very knowledgeable about his trade & the instrument. (I ask a lot of questions) Patient, knowledgeable, kind, & thorough. AND an excellent piano player.”
—Shawn H.
Christine Guthrie | Piano Technician
“Three of my favorite things in regards to piano work : the music, learning how things work, and restoring old and neglected things to their former glory.”
Piano Technician and Chamber Vocalist
Christine grew up in Ellisville where she began playing piano at the age of seven years old. She developed her musicianship studying piano from several well-respected piano instructors in the Saint Louis area. Christine studied at the University of Missouri Kansas City where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance. She went on to earn her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Webster University. She is currently performing as a 2nd Soprano with the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus under the direction of Philip Barnes. Christine’s music career has allowed her to perform in over a dozen countries in North America and Europe including several performances at Carnegie Hall. As an accomplished musician, Christine knows that a well-cared for piano is a powerful tool for musicians at all levels. Her passion for helping each piano along to its fullest potential brought her study to the piano technology. She brought seven years of experience in the field working as a local piano technician before joining the team at Vanguard Piano Service in 2023.
Continued Education
Christine has been active with the local Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) for several years growing her piano knowledge and helping organize trainings and meetings for other professional technicians in the Saint Louis area for the organization. She attends National and Regional Training Conventions and actively engages other industry professionals through educational and social media forums. Christine will continue to elevate her service working alongside the team at Vanguard Piano Service.
Jonathan Ho | Piano Technician
“When I imagine what it’s like to own my very own piano, my whole mindset changes when I see another piano. My approach and attention to detail becomes more personal and precise when I’m working on them.”
Piano Technician and Performer
Jonathan grew up in Malaysia and lived in Vancouver before immigrating to the United States with his family. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Oklahoma where he was a performer and taught piano lessons. In 2019, he moved to Boston to enroll in the piano technology program at North Bennet Street School, the oldest trade school in North America and widely considered to be the premier school of piano technology. During his time in Boston, he excelled in the intensive training program gaining an in-depth understanding of piano technology and service. After graduation, he was employed by two of the best piano rebuilders in the country (Oregon and Nebraska). In Nebraska, he continued to develop his service work with other technicians in the field in addition to the shop, gaining field tuning, regulation, and repair experience in both disciplines. Jonathan relocated to Saint Louis in 2023 to join the Vanguard Piano Service team and make the area his home.
Continued Education
Jonathan is passionate about piano technology and is committed to the continuing development of his craft. He attends the annual National and Regional Piano Technician Conventions. He has accepted opportunities to learn from other skilled piano professionals by visiting other technicians’ shops and touring manufacturer facilities. Jonathan will continue to enhance his skills by attending team trainings and professional development opportunities with the Piano Technician’s Guild.
Because, it matters.
Punctuality
We value your time and will make every effort to arrive for our scheduled appointment on time and efficiently complete the scheduled work.
Bonded and Insured
Often overlooked, when working on instruments whose value can exceed $100,000 it is vital the technician be bonded and insured.
What is it like to work with us?
“Ty came out to give my new (to me) 67 year old Steinway S her first in-home tuning. He went above and beyond! He spent a lot of his valuable time on me and Ella. He didn’t just tune her for me, he fixed a sticking F# key, which involved taking the whole action out and the close examination of all the itty bitty moving parts involved. Then, he fixed the wiggle in the lyre (learned that term from him today), and also, he fixed the squeak coming from my damper pedal’s spring. He was thorough, courteous, and very willing to teach me a little about everything he was doing. Which is awesome, because I am endlessly curious and pianos in particular fascinate me! I will definitely be having Ty take care of Ella’s future maintenance needs!”
“Ty is amazing. Very knowledgeable about pianos with a clear passion for what he does and the history behind the instrument. Able to answer any questions and then some. Oh, and also does excellent tuning and action work. :) Completely impressed.”