A Sincere Thank You to the NC Triad and Watauga County

A presentation of the Dampp-Chaser Electronics "Field Expert" Certification to 12 year old Henry RayBould, the youngest Field Expert ever!

WATAUGA COUNTY NC NEWS -- The North Carolina Triad and especially Watauga County received a sincere "thank you" for hosting the prestigious Master Piano Technicians' Convention 2008, which was attended by the youngest Piano Field Expert ever, 12 year old, Henry RayBould! The following is the contents of that "thank you" news release:

The Master Piano Technicians' Convention 2008 was a fabulous success, and all its members wish to thank all the local businesses and citizens of Watauga County for their support and friendliness.

Among the convention's highlights were the incredible Steinway, Boston, & Essex pianos kindly supplied by the Piedmont Music Center of Winston Salem, and the presentation of the Dampp-Chaser Electronics "Field Expert" Certification to 12 year old Henry RayBould - the youngest Field Expert ever! In addition to a lovely certificate and a special lapel pin from Dampp-Chaser, Henry received a professional tuning hammer from Yamaha Pianos and the Master Piano Technicians. It was mentioned more than once, that Henry portrays the "new blood" of the Piano Technology Trade. Good Work, Henry!

The wonderful teaching of Steinway's top technician from New York City, Mr. Kent Webb, Chicago's Don Komorski, MPT President Jack Hamilton of Dayton, Ohio, and our local Master Technician Michael RayBould, covered servicing on grand and upright pianos, wood refinishing techniques, and string work. These instructors have over 150 years of experience with pianos among them!

The ladies' program included gourmet hot chocolate and tea tasting, lunches at Macado's and the Daily Bread, a shopping spree on King Street, and a lot of laughs playing "Musical Clue." The ladies have named themselves the "Boonettes!"

As dean of the Master Piano Technicians' Institute of Piano Technology & Engineering, Michael RayBould presented two Doctorate Degrees and three Masters Degrees to deserving technicians. The receiving technicians listed below completed seven years of study for the Doctorates, and five years for the Masters.

Doctorates:

• Gary Chamblee of Arkansas
• Roland Miller of Ohio

Masters:

• Don Komorski of Chicago, Illinois
• Tim Upton of Dayton, Ohio
• Jim Backells of Salt Lake City, Utah

For further information on pianos, feel free to call Piano Tuning by RayBould at 828-964-7657 in Watauga County, North Carolina.