Two musicians pursue their craft—and new livelihoods—as promised by the support of the NBSS community. Discover how the dramatic expansion of our scholarship programs in recent years has helped current students Veronica Vaillancourt VM '21 and Jennifer Chen PT '20, PA '21 thrive in their programs
Piano Technology
Our comprehensive Piano Technology programs give you the skills you need to start a successful business and pursue a deeply satisfying career. We offer two nine-month courses—Basic Piano Technology (PT) and Advanced Piano Technology (PA)—both of which provide intensive training with master faculty in a stimulating environment.
Overview
Both programs attract students who share a passion for music, problem solving and mechanics, and the hand skills used to restore and care for beautiful musical instruments. Combined with business instruction, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to become a successful technician.
BASIC PIANO TECHNOLOGY (PT)
The PT program covers all phases of aural piano tuning, including the concepts on which equal temperament is founded. You’ll learn to tune, regulate, and repair the actions of both upright and grand pianos. Classes include hands-on work, lectures, and field trips to such venues as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mason & Hamlin Factory in Haverhill, the Steinway factory in Long Island City, as well as various workshops and collections throughout New England.
ADVANCED PIANO TECHNOLOGY (PA)
The PA program focuses on the entire piano and comprehensive piano service. This includes advanced tuning and regulation practice, and resolving service problems that occur in the field—an example of which is the School’s 72-piano service contract with the Boston Public School system. Each year, PA students work in teams of two or three to dismantle, rebuild, and repair grand pianos.
More Info
Faculty
Our Piano Technology instructors are nationally recognized and respected trade practitioners with nearly 90 years in of combined experience. Each offers a unique perspective on the approach and execution of work, which gives students a more comprehensive view of the field.
DEBBIE CYR PA ’93
Debbie is a 1993 graduate of the Advanced Piano program, is a Registered Piano Technician, and the Department Head. She works as a piano rebuilder and has an established piano tuning clientèle. She is also the staff piano technician at Brandeis University. A recent past president of the Boston Piano Technicians Guild, she teaches at regional and national PTG seminars.
EMILY TOWNSEND PT ’07, PA ’08
Emily is a 2007 graduate of the NBSS Basic Piano Technology program, a 2008 graduate of the Advanced program, and a Registered Piano Technician. She also holds a degree in piano performance from Trinity University. Emily has served as head technician at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and as a concert technician at both Aspen Music Festival and School and Tanglewood. She now runs her own tuning and rebuilding business.
LOUIS DEL BENE PT ’06, PA ’07
After graduating from both NBSS Piano Technology programs, Louis worked in a number of piano rebuilding shops, and eventually launched his own business, Brevet Piano Service, in Santa Rosa, CA. He is a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild, serving as President & Vice President in the Central North Carolina chapter and later, as Vice President for the San Francisco chapter.
WILL ROPER PT ’19
Basic Piano Technology Teaching Assistant
Schedule
Basic Piano Technology
- Students are admitted in September.
- The maximum enrollment is 16 students.
- Classes meet 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday, September through May.
- The program length is one, nine-month academic year (36 weeks or 1260 class hours*).
- Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Basic Piano Technology.
Advanced Piano Technology
- Students are admitted in September.
- The maximum enrollment is 9 students.
- Classes meet 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday, September through May.
- The program length is one, nine-month academic year (36 weeks or 1260 class hours*).
- The successful completion of the NBSS Basic Piano Technology course, Registered Piano Technician (RPT) certification or equivalent experience is a prerequisite for this course.
- Students who complete the program receive a Diploma of Advanced Piano Technology.
* Class hours equals clock hours.
Tuition
Basic Piano Technology
- September 2020-July 2021 tuition is $25,500*, with the option of making 9 monthly payments of $2,883.
- The estimated cost of tools is $1,500.
- The estimated cost of transportation for class trips is $300.
Advanced Piano Technology
- September 2020-July 2021 tuition is $25,500*, with the option of making 9 monthly payments of $2,833.
- The estimated cost of hand tools is $800.
- The estimated cost of transportation for class trips is $300.
* North Bennet Street School reserves the right to increase tuition in the second and subsequent years of a course. If the school does increase tuition for a course in subsequent years, that increase will not exceed 7.5% of the previous year’s tuition. Should the school exercise its right to increase tuition, the school must give the student a minimum of ninety (90) days written notice prior to the effective date of the increase and a new enrollment agreement will be executed.
Careers
Graduates of our Piano Technology Program have a variety of successful career choices. In addition to being independent entrepreneurs, our graduates hold positions at piano companies, colleges and universities, concert halls, recording studios, and music festivals.
Our graduates have held jobs like:
- Registered Piano Technician (RPT)
- Piano technician and manager in the piano technical services departments of colleges and universities
- Piano tuner for recording studios
- Owner, piano tuning and repair business
- Owner, instrument rental business
- Piano technician at various Steinway Piano Galleries
- Piano technician for Tanglewood and Sundance summer music festivals
- Piano rebuilder
- Piano repairman/restorer
- Consultant for a piano company
- Piano tuner for cruise ship company
Real World Skills
Educating Basic and Advanced Piano Technology students for employment may begin in our practice rooms and program spaces, but the work doesn't end there. Newly learned skills are tested in the real world, via a wide variety of internship opportunities, from tuning grand pianos at summer music festivals to servicing upright models in the Boston Public Schools. Read more here.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The closest job classification the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) uses is “Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners.” This classification includes repair of percussion, stringed, reed, and wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning. The classification does not include repair and tuning of electronic instruments.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners held about 7,730 jobs in 2015. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) predicts there will be a 2% to 4% growth rate from 2014-24, with roughly 1,900 job openings within that decade.
SALARY AND WAGE DATA
According to O*NET, the average annual salary for musical instrument repairers was $35,660 as of 2015, with an average hourly rate of $17.14. Payscale reports that the median hourly wage in 2016 was $14.00. However, they also note that experience has a moderate effect on income. Additionally, Income for this occupation varies widely based on industry and location. The U.S. DOL reports the following:
Industries with the highest levels of employment for musical instrument repairers:
- Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores – Average annual salary: $38,330 | Average hourly wage: $18.43
- Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance– Average annual salary: $33,970 | Average hourly wage: $16.33
- Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing– Average annual salary: $43,580 | Average hourly wage: $20.95
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools– Average annual salary: $50,670 | Average hourly wage: $24.36
- Elementary and Secondary Schools– Average annual salary: $46,700 | Average hourly wage: $22.45
Top paying industries for musical instrument repairers:
- Performing Arts Companies – Average annual salary: $60,880 | Average hourly wage: $29.27
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools– Average annual salary: $50,670 | Average hourly wage: $24.36
- Elementary and Secondary Schools– Average annual salary: $46,700 | Average hourly wage: $22.45
- Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing– Average annual salary: $43,580 | Average hourly wage: $20.95
- Miscellaneous Durable Goods Wholesalers– Average annual salary: $42,480 | Average hourly wage: $20.42
Top paying states for musical instrument repairers:
- Texas– Average annual salary: $39,840 | Average hourly wage: $19.15
- California– Average annual salary: $41,700 | Average hourly wage: $20.05
- Illinois– Average annual salary: $38,410 | Average hourly wage: $18.47
- Florida– Average annual salary: $31,240 | Average hourly wage: $15.02
- New York– Average annual salary: $40,070 | Average hourly wage: $19.27
For more information on career outlook and additional resources, visit The Piano Technicians Guild.
Program News
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about Passion Made Possible
Read the incredible story of Piano Technology alumnus Tzung-Shiun (Shin) Wu PT '16, who tuned pianos for an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Shin had heard about the work of Paul Barton, a classical pianist who brought pianos to the Elephants World sanctuary, playing classical music for the sick and injured animals there.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a distinguished graduate from one of our nine full-time programs based on their professional accomplishments, contributions to their industry, and promotion of excellence in craft via schools and organizations. We are proud to announce that David Betts PT '72, Hon PA '20 is the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award!
After over 45 years as a faculty member, including 36 years as Department Head of the Piano Technology programs, David Betts PT '72 has retired from his role. Please join our entire community in sharing our heartfelt thanks to David for his many years of expertise and mentorship, and wishing him all the best in his retirement. Since we couldn't honor him at graduation this year as planned, we decided to bring the celebration to David by hosting a physically-distanced, drive-through party at his home.
Questions?
Contact Rob O'Dwyer, Director of Admissions, at 617-227-0155 x111 or admissions@nbss.edu.
