Los Angeles Chapter
October Meeting:
Date: Mon.
10/19/2026
Time:
6:30 pm-Refreshments
7:00 pm - Meeting
Location: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
1343 Ocean Park Blvd.
& 14th Street
Santa Monica 90405
(parking available)
Note: Wear
comfortable clothing!
Last month we met at the new Faust Harrison store in Beverly Hills. Ryan Ellison, Yamaha Piano Service Team Lead, presented LaRoy Edwards' "Aftertouch: The Secret of Ultimate Piano Performance." Aftertouch is defined as the small amount of action or key movement after let-off. The Aftertouch seminar is an advanced concept that was originally developed by LaRoy Edwards and a group of exceptional Yamaha Piano Technicians from Japan. Ryan is carrying on this important concept and presented us with a glimpse of the ideas involved to achieve proper aftertouch for the best result in power and repetition in a grand action. Key Travel, Hammer Travel, Key Height, as well as Jack Position Repetition Lever Height, Let-Off and Drop are critical adjustments that affect aftertouch.
For those who are new to piano technology, and to better understand our history, please check out the tribute page for LaRoy Edwards that was set up to honor this incredible teacher - www.laroypianotech.com
Keeping your instrument in tune starts with your body. Your work is exceptionally taxing. Between heavy lifting, maintaining awkward postures under grand lids, applying immense torque to tuning pins, and hours of precision micro-movements, piano technology places unique demands on your body. That is where Kate Fox—neuromuscular therapist, movement analyst, and postural alignment expert—comes in handy! With 25 years of experience and an extensive background in performing arts medicine, Kate is an expert on the nuances of physical usage and the vital importance of individualized treatment for injury prevention and career longevity.
Kate is our guest this October! Her interactive workshop will offer targeted explanations and solutions for the exact aches and pains you experience as a piano technician. You will walk away from the session with practical, actionable recovery strategies that you can utilize right away in the shop, on the road, or on a stage. The stretches, ergonomic adjustments, and easy exercises you will learn will help bring your body back into balance. Please wear comfortable clothing!
Have a specific pain point or injury from the bench? Please feel welcome to email Kate ahead of time with your questions so she can customize the class for our group! kate@newpathwellness.com