The business
Total Piano Care Inc is the natural extension of my goal to provide the best service in the Ottawa Valley. Over the past 20 years, my vision was not to become a business owner, it was simply a desire to set the standard high and challenge myself to become a full-time piano technician. What started with apprenticeships and attending seminars and courses through local universities, has today become the passionate focus of my business and my career. I continue to train and explore new avenues to test my skills. Recently I have begun servicing period instruments like harpsichords and pianofortes. This journey is truly amazing and seems to be without end.
Andy
What drew me to this trade was the music. Throughout my life music has never been far away, and somehow manages to deeply affect every moment of my life, no matter how big or small. Even now, I still play just for the sheer joy of active music making. Music has never left me wanting, so it just feels natural that I am now extending my love for music by sharing it with you. Today I am proud to have achieved the highest certification and it is my honour to be counted among the few Registered Piano Technicians in the world. I am someone who is dedicating my life to ongoing education and the pursuit of excellence in my trade. I am practicing piano refinishing, as I wish to be more engaged in rebuilding some of the beautiful older instruments I come across. I enjoy woodworking and Hügelkultur gardening. I live on eight acres of a hobby farm, with my beautiful wife Seraphina, my son, Spicy the cat and an Silken Windhound named Zero. Most recently, Seraphina has gotten into long distance hiking and I have taken up singing and oil painting.
Mayuko
I want you to meet someone. Mayuko Takagi is a talented young piano technician brimming with promise who has been working very hard these last few years. She has recently completed the exams necessary to become a Registered Piano Technician. I have seen her at conventions, seminars and classes. She regularly attends the meetings of the local chapter of the Piano Technician’s Guild. Her willingness to learn and passion make her success as a piano technician inevitable. I have absolute confidence in Mayuko’s abilities and I am happy she has chosen to join me to help serve your needs. She will not disappoint. Mayuko is very active in her church and can often be found on the piano bench, leading the congregation in song. She has a young son and enjoys nature, cooking and gardening.
“Becoming an RPT was one of my goals since I started. It took me years of study, practice, trial and error.
It is an achievement I feel very proud of, and at the same time, it taught me how much more I still have to go. The more you know, the deeper this well gets!
I am throughly enjoying this beautiful journey, and I am honoured to be able to service the instrument you love.” - Mayuko.
Eric
I grew up in a musical family listening to my dad playing the piano daily. This sparked the beginning of my musical journey and I started taking piano lessons at a young age. Later on, I also learned to play the acoustic guitar as a mean to accompany singing which has served me well as I am involved with leading music at my local church. My hobbies further include mechanical work and a love for the outdoors as an avid cross-country skier, runner and mountain biker. I have been married to my lovely wife Sandra for 25 years and we have 3 children we are very proud of.
My early experience fixing various things, my love for music and fascination about the innerworkings of pianos led me to undertake my first piano technician training about 18 years ago while I still held full time employment with the RCMP. I knew early on that this was laying the foundation for my career as a technician. From there, I continued learning by attending piano conventions and Piano Technicians classes and meetings. I view this trade as a never ending quest for knowledge and improvement and this helps me as I strive to get the best outcomes from the instruments I get to service.