Willem “Wim” Blees RPT started working on pianos in his dad’s shop when he was 12 years old. After he graduated from college and taught band and chorus for six years, he started his full time piano service business in 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri.  Then from 2001 – 2007 he was the piano technician for the University of Alabama. In 2007 he and his wife moved to Hawaii, and in 2021 he retired from full time piano work and moved to Florida. 

Wim has given lectures at over 55 PTG seminars and conventions on a wide variety of subjects including tuning, repairing, rebuilding and business. He has also taught the at the Europiano Conference in Warsaw, Poland, at the APPTA conventions in Adelaide and Brisbane, and at Malaysian PTG seminars. Wim has served on the PTG Board of Directors as the Central West Vice President and was a CTE for many years. He was the president of the Central Florida Chapter, and the chairman of the 2024 PTG Southeast Regional Seminar. At the PTG Convention in Orlando Florida in 2021, Wim was awarded the Member of Note.

In addition to writing numerous articles for the Piano Technicians Journal, he is the author of The Business of Piano Tuning: A Guide to Marketing, Managing, Promoting, Buying and Selling a Piano Service Business. 

After graduating from The University of North Texas with a degree in Piano Technology,  Dave Conte RPT wanted to fulfill his community’s need for the high level of craftsmanship required to maintain, restore, and improve fine pianos. What began as a piano tuning and service business in 1992 has since evolved into an essential hub for piano restoration and sales of elegant new Petrof pianos. We’re the exclusive authorized merchant of Petrof pianos in the Southeastern United States, and we even offer private instruction through The East Tennessee Academy of Piano Technology. Here, you’ll find the experience, honesty, and knowledge necessary to achieve your artistic goals. Dave prides himself on his attention to detail and extensive technical expertise -- so whether you’re just getting started in the world of music or are a seasoned artist, you and your instrument are in great hands.

Starr Taylor RPT is a piano rebuilder with 40 years in the business.

He loves older instruments for the challenge they present when rebuilding.

"My therapy is riding motorcycles."

Ashley Turner RPT graduated from Southwestern University, Georgetown TX, in 1988 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology; her first love. For fifteen years, she supervised teams of counselors working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness in community based settings (post-hospitalization residential and independent living settings). 

Leaping from one listening profession to another, she followed in her brother Craig's footsteps into Piano Technology; her second love. Here she has enjoyed a 22-year career as an independent piano technician and has been lovingly bestowed meaningful volunteer opportunities with the Piano Technicians Guild. 

"There is no greater composer than Puccini."