I was born into a wonderfully musical family. 

My mother has a warm, Karen Carpenter-esque voice and can pick out harmonies quicker than anyone else I know.  Singing together as family was an anchor throughout my childhood, and I know it to be the foundation of my musical development.  My father was a multi-instrumentalist (piano, banjo, tin whistle, guitar, …basically anything he could get his hands on).  His primary instrument was trombone.  He LOVED the trombone.  

I remember when he asked me if I wanted to start piano lessons at age 8, though he said that if I agreed to start, they would hold me to that decision when it gets tough.  Sure enough I started out positive and truly enjoyed it until it began to feel too difficult.  This is a pivotal time that anyone taking the time to learn a skill faces.  I’m sure you can relate.  For a while we trudged through, but my heart wasn’t in it.  That’s when my dad began teaching me to understand and play chords on the piano.  He played piano as a worship leader at our church where he pastored.  This opened up a whole new world to me.  I loved the freedom and creativity that chords cultivated.  Soon enough I was leading worship and playing alongside other musicians.  Later my dad played a CD for me.  Buddy Rich: Swingin’ New Big Band.  After hearing the West Side Story Medley I began to find a passion for jazz and instrumental music. 

Because of my ability to read chord changes I had the opportunity to join a community jazz big band called Jazz Trax.  This was made up of 6th-9th graders directed by an amazing music educator by the name of Ricki Pedersen.  She dedicated so much time to this band and cultivated belonging and excellence.  The band stayed together throughout our high school years.  While high school jazz band programs were learning four songs to take to festival, Jazz Trax was performing two-hour big band jazz concerts.  We were privileged to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. 

In high school I found a love for vocal music, joining multiple choirs and performing in musicals.  I have such respect for the work that goes into ensembles.  I decided to point my college life toward education.  I graduated from the University of Redlands with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with voice as my primary instrument.  However, throughout college my favorite musical moments were jamming on the piano with other musicians.  One of my greatest friends is an amazing guitarist and songwriter.  We formed a band playing his original music.  It was rock with a heavy blues influence.  We loved listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, etc.  Also, being the late 90s – early 2000s we were super into Counting Crows.  Charlie Gillingham (keys player) has had a profound impact on my piano playing.  His use of the Hammond B3, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, synths, accordian, and piano to help the lyricist tell a story is phenomenal.  

That’s really what playing an instrument is like.  It’s the emotional support for what the song attempts to convey.  Lyrics provide meaning and context, but it’s the sound that make us feel the connection.  If done well, a live show makes you feel known.  To this day I have been blessed to play and sing live with some of the greatest musicians throughout southern California; jazz, blues, rock, r&b, funk, country, worship, etc.  Playing music with others is one of life’s greatest gifts to us.

Back to my dad.  Later in his life he retired from the church and started his own music company, selling innovative products to brass musicians: www.chasonsmusic.com.     He also began tuning and repairing pianos.  This quickly became a shared interest of ours.  In 2016 he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and passed away just two months later.  I have been tuning ever since, using most of the tools he left.  My mom and I still run Chasons Music to this day.  It is a joy working together to support musicians throughout the country in his honor.

There is something beautiful about working on pianos.  Each one has a story.  I’ve learned to appreciate the artistry in a pristine, high-quality concert grand, as well as the dusty heirloom spinet in the corner.  They both have their place, sonically and emotionally.  Both deserve care, and have the potential to be a joy to play.  I have seen a pattern over the years.  Many pianos go uncared for.  They sit, unused.  Why?  Well, many times it’s that a child no longer takes lessons, or that you may have switched instruments along the way, or it could just be that you had intended to learn but never got around to it.  Regardless, I can say as a professional musician that it is important to have an instrument that inspires and welcomes use.  If your piano is there, why not have it sound good?  Why not have it feel good to play?   

I feel a strong sense of joy and accomplishment investing time to make an instrument better.  It is mentally challenging work that requires patience, a careful touch, and a positive attitude.  When a temperament is balanced, unisons are clear, and overtones ring true it feels a bit like magic.  You feel comfortable playing one note and just listening to it.  I would love to help this be a reality for you.  Maybe you’d like some help getting started on your musical journey.  In addition to tuning and service I can gladly point you in the right direction with a lesson.  I am here to help.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!  If you have any questions at all, feel free to shoot me a call or text at 619-929-8333.  The easiest way to schedule service is to click the button below.  You will see my availability and can sign up for a time block.  I will call you to confirm what you need.  I look forward to hearing from you!