Georgia Maldonado

Georgia Maldonado has been with Steinway & Sons since 2011. A second-generation piano technician and technical educator, she is instrumental to Steinway's proprietary Spirio player system with a focus on product development. Georgia remains connected with the technician community, overseeing the training and standards for the unique Spirio maintenance needs, supporting field work on Spirio technology and developing Spirio technical resources around the world.

Georgia will be presenting a new class:

• Steinway Spirio Technology and Service. Beginning with a basic technical overview, this class will offer experienced insight to draw out the highest-level performance from a Steinway Spirio. This class will also detail the resources and opportunities Steinway offers to technicians who choose to pursue Spirio service work. Attendees will be afforded an invaluable hands-on opportunity to experience the maintenance process and discuss high-level technical questions.

Ben Gac

Ben Gac has been with Steinway & Sons since 2014. His responsibilities include forging new paths in quality for piano manufacturing in the New York factory as well as overseeing the administration of Steinway’s Apprenticeship Program. Before joining Steinway in New York, Ben worked at the Steinway dealerships in Chicago, tuned for a number of private clientele and concert venues in the area, and taught at the Chicago School for Piano Technology.

Ben will be presenting a new class:

• Grand by Hand: a Technician’s Tour of the New York Steinway Factory in which he will take attendees through a virtual tour of the Steinway factory.  The focus will be on aspects of the piano building process that piano technicians may have particular interest in—from soundboard pressing to hammer making, and everywhere in between.

Daniel DeBiasio

Daniel DeBiasio has been with Steinway & Sons since 2016.  After working for Steinway Hall and the Concert & Artist Department, he is now responsible for the Steinway Technical Academy.  This September, Daniel will be launching a new year-long Concert Technician Training Program at the Steinway factory in New York.  More info can be found here.

Daniel will be teaching two classes at the PTG Convention in Arlington, VA:

• Understanding Dampers in the Modern Steinway Grand will give technicians an overview of the design intentions behind the New York Steinway Grand Damper System so they can better understand how to make meaningful corrections in the field.

• Foundations of Tone in the New York Steinway is a comprehensive look at all aspects a technician should consider when voicing the New York Steinway hammer, and an overview of the recommended voicing techniques.

Aaron Diamond

Aaron Diamond joined Steinway & Sons in 2022. He is currently the Customer Service Parts Associate in the Steinway Parts Department, managing sales and cataloguing of components across the Steinway, Boston, and Essex lines. He began with Steinway through the Apprenticeship Program, earning licensure as a piano builder in the United States. Before coming to Steinway, Aaron built custom musical instruments.

Brian Daurelle

Brian Daurelle joined Steinway & Sons in 2022 and is currently the Music Technology Technical Coordinator. His responsibilities include piano-focused quality control for Steinway's Spirio technology and contributing to research & development for Steinway's music technology portfolio. A lifelong pianist and electronic musician, he began with Steinway through the Apprenticeship Program, earning licensure as a piano builder.

Chad Frye

Chad Frye began his career with Steinway & Sons as a piano technician in 2004 and has since assumed various roles in parts, service, and technical support. In his current position, Chad arranges restoration services for piano owners wishing to have their instruments rebuilt by Steinway & Sons.

Chad will be available at the Steinway & Sons exhibit booth and attendees are encouraged to stop and learn more about the available restoration options that Steinway provides.