Biographical and Professional Notes
Highlights: 1978 Apprenticed to Steinway & Sons at the age of sixteen • 1984 Appointment to Mattson and McGehee Pianovaerkstedet, Odense, Denmark • 1993, Became a member of the Pianoforte Tuners’ Association • 1997 Gained a Distinction in an access course for music at Merton College, Wimbledon • 2000 Graduated with BMus from Kingston University • 2004 Tim Hendy Pianos Ltd workshop opens • 2005-2010 Freelance technician at Royal College of Music, London • 2008 Official piano tuner Hampton Court Music Festival • 2012 to present day: regular freelance tuner for Steinway & Sons, tuning at The Menuhin Hall, G-Live and University of Surrey, among many other prestigious venues • 2016 Official piano tuner The Cobbe Collection Trust, Hatchlands Park
Early Days
My interest in music dates from childhood, singing in the local church choir with my family, leading to an interest in church organs and keyboard instruments in general.
Steinway & Sons was the biggest name I knew in pianos, so I got my dad to give them a ring...
Apprenticeship
... and I became apprenticed to Steinway & Sons London in the summer of 1978, at the age of sixteen.
Steinway & Sons
At Steinway, I learnt piano design and restoration, tuning and voicing, while studying for my City and Guilds in Musical Instrument Technology at London College of Furniture - now the London Metropolitan University.
Denmark
In 1984 I left Steinway & Sons, to experience working abroad for The Piano Workshop (Mattsson and McGehee Pianovaerkstedet), and Egtved Pianofabrik as Senior Technician; I returned ....
England
... home in 1991, where I worked for ABC Music, Esher, in sales and technical work. In the last 25 years I’ve run Tim Hendy Pianos Ltd, serving the wider musical community with pride.
Kingston
Born and bred in Kingston, I’ve been in the piano business for four decades. I’m proud to remain a resident here, having graduated with BMus at Kingston University. I’m keen singer, gardener, bee keeper and proud dad.