Member Profile

Christine McCrae

We are celebrating something very special. In 2017 we introduced the first female member to be elected on the committee of the Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria.

When & where and why did you learn to be a Piano Tuner/ Technician?

I studied 2013-2014 at the Australasian School of Piano Technology to become a piano technician. I was always fascinated whenever I had my piano tuned growing up.  I also thought it would be wonderful to work with pianos and meet fellow musicians that play them.

Do you have any musical background?

Yes, I started with violin at about age 9, and then after 3 years of begging my parents, I also started piano.  I dabbled with flute for a year as well, but found 3 instruments a bit too much. So I scaled back to two instruments and kept up with lessons until I hit year 12.

Interestingly, I Initially found my violin background a bit of a disadvantage when beginning to learn piano tuning.  This is because when tuning a violin, one goes from flat to in tune and never goes sharp (in order to preserve the integrity of the string). Consequently, I found it very uncomfortable to go sharp in piano tuning before resting it in tune.  No problems now though!

Why did you join the P.T.T.G.V?

To be part of a community of tuners, a support network, receive professional representation, industry news and education.

What do you like best about this Industry?

It's great fun! Whether it's the challenge of fixing a problem, or discovering the stories behind the piano and or its owner.  1000 times better than a desk job!