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About Us Daniel SittigDaniel is the heart and owner of the company. His great love for the piano and all things musical is the driving force behind Penn Piano. He began as a player. His father Cal faithfully took him to organ lessons every week as a child. At age 17 he fell in love with the piano. When he was a teenager a curious spirit led him to approach the local piano tuner Ernie Vagias. He asked to borrow a tuning hammer so that he could tune his own piano. Ernie laughed and told him that it wasn't that easy, but, if he was willing to work hard he would teach him. This was 25 years ago and the beginning of an apprenticeship that has led to a career for Daniel. A career that is both a passion and an obsession. Ernie was a well known musician and an independent thinker. He has several patented inventions, some of which (Vagias Plastic Snap-On Elbows and Vagias Keytops) are in common world wide use today. Dan is fond of saying that Ernie infected him with curiosity and a love for pianos. After Ernie died Daniel continued on his own. Although Daniel has tuned thousands of pianos, each new experience presents new challenges in this sublime multi-faceted art called piano technology. He has a great love for learning and continues his education on a regular basis. He has had several other influences through the years. Daniel attributes much of his education in pianos to Keith Stebler. Keith is a renown Jazz musician in the Pittsburgh area. He has played and recorded with Kenny Blake, Roger Humphries, Five Guys Named Moe, and others. He plays as a one man band and is in demand as a solo artist also. Keith is also an accomplished Piano Tuner. He learned his skills at the Pittsburgh School for the Blind. Keith has influenced Daniel a great deal in both his musical growth and his sensitivity as a Piano tuner. Daniel and Keith often collaborate on jobs. Daniel is an active member of the Piano Technicians Guild. The "Guild" is a vital organization that is an invaluable resource for people in all areas of the piano field. It takes tuners - technicians, students, musicians, piano salespeople, and anyone who loves pianos and gives them a common ground to share knowledge, ideas, business and fellowship on a common ground. The PTG hosts several national and regional conventions every year. They also publish a technical Journal. The Guild serves as an accreditation vehicle for those tuners who wish to pursue the degree of excellence. Members must pass a series of difficult tests to achieve the title of RPT (Registered Piano Technician). Daniel has been married to his wife Lisa for 20 years. They have Six children, William, John, Praise, Katie, Honor , and Christopher. William graduated from High school last year and is becoming an increasingly active part of the Penn Piano Company. He is an accomplished Guitarist and hopes to expand his knowledge of stringed musical instruments to the field of building and repairing electric and acoustic guitars. William has a great ear and a real love for music. We are really excited to see him grow in this field. John, Praise, Katie and Christopher all get their hands in the work as they are able and all really enjoy working with Dad in the shop. Ted FolwarcznyTed is the head finish man at Penn Piano. He has worked here for over 10 years. Ted has a discerning artistic eye with an artistic flair. Ted is a perfectionist who constantly strives to improve his techniques. His work is truly beautiful. Ted and Daniel are best of friends Ted's work touches all of the visual aspects of the piano from carving intricate wood pieces that may be missing from the detail work to polishing and finishing of brass details, hinges and pedals. His attention to detail gives the pianos a professional artistic quality that surpasses most of this type of work in the field today. Justin Lang, William and John SittigJustin, William and John are the general shop hands. They help with most of the finish work in the shop. William is also beginning to branch into the more technical aspects of piano work including action work, keytops, and tuning. Carole MazurCarole is Daniel's mother in Law. Carole is the keyboard specialist. She does the keyboard rebuilding work which includes all aspects of keyboard restoration: coverings, bushings, buttons, backchecks, installation and regulation Carole is 63 years old and just began working on piano keys a few years ago when she retired. She is very excited to be beginning a new career at this stage of her life. Lisa SittigLisa is Dan's wife of 20 years. Lisa maintains the large database of Dan's customers and keeps records of when piano's are tuned with details about each piano She makes reminder calls to customers when their pianos are due to be serviced again. The customers truly like this part of Penn Piano and appreciate the personal attention they get. They are thankful that in their busy lives they don't have to keep track of when their piano's need to be tuned. In addition to her work with Penn Piano, Lisa just completed her Associate Degree in Fine art at Community College of Beaver County. She is excited to begin work on her BFA at Clarion University specializing in ceramics and sculpture. Look for a site featuring her work in the near future. Lisa also maintains this website.
To schedule your appointment call 724-266-5497 or email dan@pennpiano.com
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