As president, Jim Coleman, Jr. will represent the interests of almost 4,000 piano technicians around the world.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A University of Tennessee-Knoxville staff member has been chosen by his peers to serve as president of the world's largest piano technician association – the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG).
Jim Coleman, Jr., RPT, was elected president in July 2011 during the 54th annual PTG Convention in Kansas City, Mo. As president, Coleman will represent the interests of almost 4,000 piano technicians around the world. Coleman joined PTG in 1969 and has previously served the Board of Directors as a regional vice president and secretary/treasurer.
The Coleman family has a long history in the piano industry. Coleman's grandfather was a piano technician, along with his father and several brothers. As UT's resident piano technician, Coleman maintains more than 90 pianos for the School of Music, which will soon have the distinction of being an all-Steinway school. He also runs Coleman's Tools, a supplier of innovative tools for the piano trade and services private clientele with Coleman's Piano Service.
The Piano Technicians Guild grants the Registered Piano Technician (RPT) credential after a series of rigorous examinations that test skill in piano tuning, regulation and repair. The Piano Technicians Guild is the world's premier source of piano service expertise. It promotes the highest possible standards of piano service by providing opportunities for professional development, by recognizing technical competence through examinations and by advancing the interests of its members.
In addition to officer elections, this year's convention featured more than 300 hours of hands-on training over five days. National conventions give PTG members the opportunity to upgrade their skills and knowledge while learning about new ideas, tools and pianos.
