Restorations

Andre Watts

Peter Serkin

Marvin Hamlisch

Vardan Mamikonian

Christian Zacharias

Mikhail Pletnev

Gary Graffman

Laura Mikkola

Van Cliburn

John Tess

Oscar Peterson

Daniel Barenboim

John Eaton

Horacio Gutierrez

Ardre-Michel Shub

Ann Scheim

Jeffery Siegel

James Tocco

Emanuel Ax

Peter Nero

Alicia de Larrocha

Mischa Dichter

Cipa Dichter

Louis Lortie

Manacham Pressler

• 1973 to 1976 piano technician for American University 

• 1979 piano technician for the University of Virginia

• 1979 to 1984 Shop foreman for Jordan Kitts Music

• 1980 to 1992  technician for "In Performance at the White House"

• 1981 Action Regulation and Voicing training at Steinway Factory

• 1982 Concert technician training at Steinway Hall, New York

• 1982 began association with the "National Symphony Orchestra "

• 1991 "Yamaha Concert Training" with Yamaha America

• 1992 to 2002  Steinway Concert technician for the Kennedy Center

• 1994 to 2002  Washington Performing Arts Society

• 1972 to present  "My own Customers"

<Some Artists I have worked for >

Evgeny Kissin

Richard Goode

Murray Perahia

Victor Borge

Alfred Brendel

Roger Williams

Jonathan Biss

Michele Camillo

Billy Taylor

Jon Nakamatsu

Yo Yo Ma

Benny Green

George Shearing

Tony Bennett

Jeffery Biegel

Yefim Bronfman

Frank Sinatra

Mavah Perlman

Ruth Laredo

Joseph Kalchstein

Isaac Stern

Lambert Orkis

John Browning

Harry Connick Jr.

Leon Fleisher

Biography

   Richard (Rick) Butler, a craftsman member of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG), has been a full time - and full service - piano technician for more than 35 years. His piano rebuilding experience encompasses work on all components of the instrument, including re-stringing, bridge and soundboard repair/replacement, pin block replacement, keyframe and key manufacture, as well as complete action, underlever, and trap work repair, replacement, and regulation. In addition to running his own shop, Rick has served as chief technician for two large universities and as shop foreman for a major piano dealer. His service as concert technician includes many years with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. Within his PTG Chapter (Washington D.C.), he has served his profession in various capacities, including serving as president of his chapter. He has also lectured at local, regional and national meetings. Rick is hoping to launch his new Correspondence Course in Piano Technology sometime in 2008. It covers Tuning, Regulation, Voicing, Repairs, and a detailed section on Rebuilding pianos. The objective of this course is to prepare one to successfully pass the certification exams for the Piano Technicians guild, and to professionally represent ones profession to the public.