I am originally from New Brunswick, Canada. I grew up in a rural fishing village of about 50 people called Dipper Harbour. I moved to Pennsylvania when I was 17 to study music in university. I so appreciate the support of my parents in sending me off to college. I was the first male in my family to go to college and sending me 1000 miles away was tough on them. I learned to play the piano from my Grandmother who wanted us to play hymns in church. I fell in love with the instrument and have been playing ever since. My wife, Marji, actually grew up in this area. We met at the Csehy Summer School of Music when we were both in graduate school. We both still teach there in the summers and my wife is a music teacher at Rolling Hills Elementary. She is an extraordinary person and musician. We have been married for 18 years and we have 4 children. We have Karsten who is 16, Jonathan who is 14, Micah who is 12 and Clara who is 9.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
This past year I went through a career change. I was in higher education, but this year I started a company called Harding Piano Services. We are a company that serves homes, concert halls, churches, schools and more with professional piano care. This includes tuning, cleaning, refurbishment, and more. I am a certified piano technician and a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. I am actually the South Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter’s secretary. I work all over Bucks and Montgomery county, parts of New Jersey and Philadelphia.
On top of piano tuning I also perform. I studied to be a concert pianist at the Manhattan School of Music. I got my masters there and a professional studies certificate. I then completed my doctorate in piano performance at the University of Maryland in College Park. I still teach and perform. My performing schedule has actually been growing as a result of my new business. I teach piano to all levels online and in my home. I am also developing an online course right now for people to learn piano. It will teach people how to play pop music, hymns, worship music and lots of different styles in between. I also lead music and worship services at Riverstone Church in Yardley. I love my church and our community.
I host a podcast called “Inside the Taubman Approach” for the Golandsky institute. https://www.golandskyinstitute.org/. The Golandsky institute is a premier organization that features the Taubman Approach in learning piano. They are based out of NYC and I do media for them. I study with Edna Golandsky myself on this specific way of playing the piano:. It is a technique to prevent or heal from injuries related to playing piano while also playing the piano in a healthy and free way.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love meeting interesting people. I also love bringing joy into people’s homes by restoring their pianos. I basically restore them to the manufacturer’s specifications and it is awesome. I love bringing the instruments back to life.
Q: What are some of your favorite spots in our community?
I love Tyler State Park. I run a lot so you can often find me there. I also love Pretty Bird in Yardley and of course Riverstone Church. This is a special community and an amazing place to raise a family.
Q: What is your favorite place you have traveled and where do you want to go next?
I have been so fortunate to get to play piano all over the world. My favorite place on earth right now is Bavaria. I just love the people and the landscape there. Marji and I were able to go there in 2013. I think next I would love to go back to Europe and explore more. I would really love to ski the Alps sometime.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie of all time is Godfather and then Godfather 2. For TV shows I love Monk, Psych, and White Collar.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
We only have a certain amount of days on this earth and every moment is so precious. Find out what you are supposed to be doing at this moment and do it. Love your family, be in the moment with them because you blink and they are grown up. You blink and life changes so really try to live in every moment.
Q: What is your favorite band or music genre?
I am a piano nerd so let’s talk about piano. I think Frederic Chopin is my favorite. Anything written by him is my favorite. I also am really enjoying what Luke Combs did with his cover of Fast Car by Tracey Chapman. I have been listening to that a lot. I also just enjoy country music in general.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We made the conscious decision to stay in this area to not have to uproot our kids because they are so settled here. So in 5-10 years I will still be working hard and growing my business and my craft. I see my business having multiple technicians and the business bringing joy to many homes in Holland and beyond. I also hope to see my performing and teaching impact growing.
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends or family may not know about you?
I want to get really good at Tennis. I am an emerging tennis player and want to play well.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. There are no presents or stress of gifts, but everyone gets together and just gets to enjoy time with one another.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jocko Willink. Jocko is a former Navy Seal with an incredibly inspiring story that constantly inspires me to be better. I follow his business and life really closely.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Frankincense
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love and Marji. Something my parents told me that sticks with me is that home is where your family is. If you have your family, you have everything!
Q: Where can people find you or your business?