Steinway & Sons

Sonja Lynne grew up in her mother’s music studio and found her voice as a singer. Sonja studied opera and can still be heard singing in her church. She had a few jobs, including as a school teacher, before answering an advertisement for Jacobs Music in Philadelphia. She joined the sales team there in 1989 and learned much from the store’s president, Al Rinaldi. Al trained her not only in sales but provided an in-depth education in the craft of piano building. She later worked for Jordan Kitts Music where she met her husband, Tom Tuson. Together they formed Diversi Musical Products

Frank Mazurco spent 33 years working in the Steinway & Sons piano business, the last stretch as executive vice president. Frank helped lead the company during a time of growth within the global market as well as the technologic advances such as the Internet. Frank took a great deal of interest in promoting music education and worked alongside several organizations (including NAMM and AMC) to promote the benefits of music and music making around the world.  

Vincent McBryde picked up the saxophone at the age of 5 and played in bands throughout high school and into college, where he studied music with the hopes of becoming a band director. After a year of teaching he fell into the music products industry where he has since become a leader and visionary. 

Bob McNabb is a well-known and respected piano technician in Bakersfield, California, who began his training in 1973. He enjoyed the role of piano tech for the Civic Center for over 20 years. That position allowed Bob the opportunity to tune for such performers as John Browning, Roger Williams, and the comedian George Burns, who was 99 years old at the time. Bob played trumpet and baritone horn in the Salvation Army Band for several years before becoming and officer in that organization for thirteen years, after which he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pia

Gordon McNelly is the Manager for Fields Piano in Santa Ana, California. Fields Piano is the local authorized Steinway dealer, which is a perfect home for Gordon who has been involved with Steinway for most of his professional career. After operating his own piano service/sales business in New Jersey in the 1990s, Gordon worked as a piano technician at Steinway Hall in New York City - before becoming the service manager for the NY Metro area for Steinway.

Dana Messina was always intrigued by all the machinery in factories thanks to his engineering background, but his business skills are what lead to his success at both Selmer and Steinway. Dana was able to help streamline the business while never compromising on the quality of the product at both companies. Though Dana may have initially been seen as an outsider to some in this industry, his respect and understanding of his customers and his commitment to the business has proven he is anything but that. 

William Metcalfe’s father began working for A. P. (Pops) Schuttler in a little music store in Evansville, Indiana, back in 1930. When his father bought the store in a ten-year deal beginning in 1949, the store sold string instruments and accessories until his father brought in records. After graduating from college in 1962, William returned to the store where he worked along side his father until he retired in the 1970s. Along the way he formed a rock and roll store around the corner called ABC Music. With the success of the new store Schuttler Music became the local piano and org

Donna Meyer was studying music in college when she met her future husband, Lloyd. After his stint in the army and the raising of their children (while Lloyd's career grew to president of Steinway & Sons) Donna joined Lloyd running the American division of Renner.  Donna runs the office and works with each of their customers as well as helps arrange and organize the company's biannual training program. Her passion for music and the industry has been instrumental in the relationships Renner develops at the NAMM Shows and the Piano Technician Guild's programs.

Lloyd Meyer was the president of Renner US, the world-renowned provider of piano keyboard actions. His long and productive career began with retail experience in Minnesota at the large Dayton Company. When the Dayton chain began carrying organs and pianos, Lloyd took a great interest in the instruments and has worked in the music industry ever since. He played a key role in the Lowrey Organ Company as they branched out into malls in the 1970s, and worked for CBS Musical where he was President of Steinway & Sons for several years. Over the years Lloyd has been a strong supporte

Sandra Miller realized as a professional musician working in Memphis that she learned enough about her Steinway piano that she could sell them.  So, she got a job at Amro Music and has become a Steinway specialist doing just that.  Her passion comes out the moment you mention Steinway, a fact very much appreciated by customers seeking to purchase an instrument that will inspire them.  While playing around town she often has the chance to meet people interested in buying a piano.  Before long, Sandra has invited them to meet her at Amro so she can allow them to try out the pianos i

Franz Mohr was the chief concert technician for Steinway and Sons for many decades. During his long and colorful career, Franz worked on the pianos of many of the great pianists of his time, including Horowitz, Cliburn, Serkin and Rubinstein. He developed many techniques for tuning and setting up pianos in various concert halls around the world, which led to him writing a book about his long career in music.

Michael Mohr recalls Vladimir Horowitz coming to the house when he was a child, and he was just like a member of the family. The great maestro was a friend of Michael's father, who was trusted with Mr. Horowitz's prized Steinway piano. Michael grew up to work for Steinway & Sons, not only in keeping up his family's traditions but the family traditions of Steinway of quality and attention to detail!

Jerome F. Murphy Sr. was the president of M. Steinert & Sons in Boston. He joined the company on January 10, 1897 and dedicated himself to the business and the industry. He was promoted to treasurer  in 1916 and took the opportunity given him in 1934 to purchase the business. Mr. Murphy was very active as a leader in his community as well as the music products industry including serving on the NAMM Board of Directors and as President of NAMM from 1937-1939. In 1941, Mr. Murphy was voted the very first non-Steinway family member to join the Board of Directors for Steinway &

Jerome Murphy III, the vice president of M. Steinert & Son’s piano dealer in Boston, provided insightful stories on the rich history of Steinert’s musical history. Jerome told of Morris Steinert’s first store, which opened a few years after he emigrated from Bavaria to Savannah in the 1860s. During the Civil War he moved north and soon opened Steinert Hall, which Jerome proudly noted is the location of his office. Steinert hired Jerome Murphy I as a bookkeeper in 1897 and the rich history of the Murphy family has been the driving force ever since.

Paul Murphy has served his industry well, just as did his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather. Paul was elected to the NAMM Board of Directors where he served for over a decade including a term as chairman. Two of his relatives also served as president of the NAMM Board, as well as presidents of the distinguished piano retailer M. Steinert & Sons. The store has enjoyed a long relationship with Steinway & Sons Piano Company. Along the way, Paul developed some life- long friends including Henry Z. Steinway and his brother, John.

Brendan Murphy is the fourth generation of Murphys to hold an executive position with the M. Steinert & Sons Company, which follows three generations of Steinerts. For most of that time (back to 1869 in fact), they have proudly represented Steinway Pianos. Brendan played a critical role in the moving of the store for the first time in 120 years to two locations. The first, around the corner from Steinert Hall, is located at Park Plaza at 1 Columbus Avenue in Boston. The second location Brendan created is on Damrell Street in South Boston. The Damrell Street location is a conve

George Nellas started his career in the music industry at Byerly Music in the 1970s selling home organs in the store's mall locations.  After moving to Los Angeles, George worked for Sherman Clay for over a decade as well as Fields Piano. While working retail in California, some industry colleagues told him of an opening for a manager at Baldwin Sanders in Hawaii. He ran the store from 1994 until 2001 when George decided to open his own store, Piano Planet. He is now the exclusive Steinway dealer in Hawaii, along with Kawai and Roland. 

Sean O'Shea began front pumping the organ during the big boom of home organs in the 1970s. His first gig was for a music store when he was just 14. He grew up in the business and worked for many of the top names in the piano industry. Sean had his own store for years and worked in the wholesale side as well. Along the way, he worked with Dr. Robert Moog during the inception of the Van Koevering “Interactive Piano”.

Peter Perez represents a lot of musical history. A former head of CG Conn and CBS Musical Instruments, Peter went on to become the President of Steinway & Sons. His career also included the purchasing of Aeolian Pianos in Memphis and Lyon & Healy in Chicago while he was working for CBS. Another fascinating aspect of his history is his family connection to the industry. Peter married Carroll Greenleaf, the daughter of Leland who was the former owner of CG Conn.  

Elmer Reeder and his brother purchased a sawmill outside of Lansing, Michigan, right after World War II.  It was during that time that Elmer became an expert in wood, an important part of his career years later.  When his son, Jim, opened a piano shop and retail store called James Reeder Piano, Elmer was hired by his son to become a piano builder.  Elmer worked on construction and rebuilding pianos and in fact continued to work in the shop well into his 90s.

James Reeder is the piano technician who formed James Reeder Piano in Lansing, Michigan, as both a repair and retail business.  With a strong background in the restoration of pianos, Jim sought to hire top craftsmen to create the best service possible.  Among those he hired was his father, who had a background in woodworking.  As a retailer, Jim began as a Steinway dealer and over the years he became the authorized dealer for the Blüthner Piano as well as Mason & Hamlin Pianos.  His focus has always been to provide the best sound possible out of each piano and match those qual

Al Rinaldi was the first person ever to receive the Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to him in 2012.  Al never worked for the piano manufacturer nor did he work for any of it's sister companies.  Al was a Steinway dealer in Philadelphia, who in fact was turned down from being a dealer when he first requested it.  Al was an unknown retailer to the Steinway Company in those days even though he owned piano & organ leased departments at Gimbels, Strawbridge and Clothier, and John Wannamaker’s.  When he purchased Jacobs Music in downtown Philly, he carried sever

Abel Sanchez is the noted restoration expert for such piano brands as Steinway and Chickering. Abel was born and raised in northern Mexico on the cattle ranch along with seven brothers. By the late 1950s, he moved to San Diego where he began working for two music stores as a piano technician. Some of his training came from his two uncles who were furniture builders, as well as an older Steinway factory worker who moved to San Diego to retire. In 1964, he and his wife opened their own store, The Piano Place, which provided piano services such as restoration and moving as well as re

Robert Schaeffer is the resident historian for Rice Music House in South Carolina.  Having been in the store since he was a young boy, getting to meet with the founder and having worked in the store for several years, he fits the bill.  As much as he knows the history, Robert walks and talks the core values of the company, especially when it comes to music advocacy.  The store’s outreach programs are second to none and the staff’s dedication to customer care is clear the moment you step into their store.  One thing is for certain, Robert certainly has his dream job!

Bob Snyder enjoyed his 40 plus years in the music industry, driven by his passion for music. His father was a professor of music and instruments of all kinds seemed to be everywhere in his home growing up. His sales career started at a Hammond Organ dealership where he would perform on the organ to attract customers to the store. In 1981 he was offered a job at CBS Musical Instruments, a division of the broadcasting company.

Michael Spreeman is the creator of Ravenscroft Pianos and founder of Spreeman Piano Innovations, LLC. Experience includes: 35 years as a concert technician, rebuilder, service technician, and instructor.  He has also worked as a technical consultant for Renner, Fazioli, Yamaha, Steinway, and Baldwin.

Ray Stacy began working for the O.S. Kelly Company in 1978 and has a true sense of pride in the work they do in creating piano plates. Located in Springfield, Ohio, the foundry was established by Oliver Kelly in 1852 to make steam traction engines and farm equipment. They soon began making the sand cast iron plates for pianos, often called the harp. These plates need to withstand the massive tension of the strings, up to 40,000 pounds. The creation of these plates is so precise that many piano companies trusted O.S.

Henry Z. Steinway was quite articulate when speaking about the incredible history of the Steinway and Sons Piano Company. One could say that he lived all elements of being a Steinway as the former president of the Steinway Company. His love for music led to the creation of the board of the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music, for which Henry was the first president. His passion for music went beyond that of the company. As he once said, “You don’t have to play the piano, but do play an instrument.” His inspiration and example will be felt for many decades to come.

Harry Steinway is the great-great-grandson and namesake of Steinway & Sons Piano Company’s founder, Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg. Harry has a deep understanding of his ancestors’ contributions to the family business and piano industry, particularly regarding their innovations and business practices (many of which are still in operation today). He worked closely with his father, Henry Z. Steinway, during the 1970s before pursuing his own passion for architecture. During his NAMM interview, Harry reflected on his years working at Steinway, which included a tenure in the marketing

Bruce Stevens has served as President of Steinway and Sons longer than any non-family member in the company’s more than 150 year history. Bruce has presided over several important programs at Steinway and Sons, including the launch of the Boston and Essex brand pianos. His association with the company goes back to the 1980s when CBS sold Steinway. Since that time, Bruce has been committed to the quality of the Steinway products and the company’s strong support for the piano dealers.  

Peter Suzuki's career parallels the rise of Yamaha and the highly successful Yamaha Music Schools in Japan and the United States. Mr. Suzuki started with Yamaha in 1962 as a retail keyboard salesman in Tokyo. Faced with ever-increasing Electone Organ production, Mr. Suzuki realized the Electone to be the ideal keyboard teaching tool and successor to the reed organ for young students in Japan. This spurred music education and the Electone to even greater sales and national renown and vaulted Mr. Suzuki to national manager of educational programs in the Yamaha Education and Promotio

Chris Syllaba grew up in Washington D.C. and found music throughout the city during his childhood years.  He soon found a position within Jordan Kitt’s Music store in 1984 and rose through the ranks to his current position as the President and CEO. During his Oral History interview at the 2017 NAMM Show in Nashville, Chris reflected on the positive experiences working with Jordan Kitt’s Music former owner, Bill McCormick, as well as sales he made while working his way up the company.