John Pierce, Owner, Duluth Fine Pianos
Before Duluth Fine Pianos was even a glimmer in his eye, John Pierce was in contact with pianos. His mother taught piano lessons from the home. All four of her sons were required to take piano lessons. At some point in his early life, the family acquired a seven foot Mason and Hamlin BB antique grand piano with a big bass sound. Learning to maximize that sound was a joy! After graduating to French Horn, and finally singing, Pierce entered college as a voice major. His interest in pianos continued, as he studied with great collaborative pianists and their students, practiced on practice room pianos of all different makes and qualities, shoved 9' concert grands around recital halls and concert halls as a graduate assistant, and listened to piano faculty concerts. He often helped pianists decide which piano they should use for a particular concert. Even piano playing was not ignored, as he accompanied his wife's voice lessons.
After college and stints as a college teacher of singing, Pierce landed a dream job, singing full-time in a theater in Germany. He was finally a real opera singer, singing under the name of John Charles Pierce ! Although the immediate work with pianos took a hiatus, he was still involved with moving the family's first baby, a Yamaha GH1 baby grand, overseas, from apartment to apartment, eventually back to the USA, and then from house to house. Moving pianos became a part of his expertise!
Having made the transition into retail business, Pierce brings with him the skills garnered from maintaining a 20+ year successful international opera career. Since incorporating Duluth Fine Pianos in 2014, John has learned to move all manner of pianos in all manner of situations, has shipped pianos overseas and coast to coast, and is even learning to tune pianos. Duluth Fine Pianos has hosted regular meetings of the area's chapter of the Piano Technician's Guild. He has traveled hundreds of miles from the Dakotas to Michigan and from the Canadian border down to Ohio serving piano customers. His musical background, his passion for the instrument, his belief in the power of music and the importance of its place in the education of youth and the enrichment of humanity make him uniquely qualified to help people find the right instrument, and help them bring music into their homes and lives.
After college and stints as a college teacher of singing, Pierce landed a dream job, singing full-time in a theater in Germany. He was finally a real opera singer, singing under the name of John Charles Pierce ! Although the immediate work with pianos took a hiatus, he was still involved with moving the family's first baby, a Yamaha GH1 baby grand, overseas, from apartment to apartment, eventually back to the USA, and then from house to house. Moving pianos became a part of his expertise!
Having made the transition into retail business, Pierce brings with him the skills garnered from maintaining a 20+ year successful international opera career. Since incorporating Duluth Fine Pianos in 2014, John has learned to move all manner of pianos in all manner of situations, has shipped pianos overseas and coast to coast, and is even learning to tune pianos. Duluth Fine Pianos has hosted regular meetings of the area's chapter of the Piano Technician's Guild. He has traveled hundreds of miles from the Dakotas to Michigan and from the Canadian border down to Ohio serving piano customers. His musical background, his passion for the instrument, his belief in the power of music and the importance of its place in the education of youth and the enrichment of humanity make him uniquely qualified to help people find the right instrument, and help them bring music into their homes and lives.