My name is John Mark Bahr and I am from Wuppertal, Germany.

My career as a piano technician began in 2019 with an apprenticeship at PIANOVUM in Düsseldorf. Over three and a half years I trained under Michael Thron to become a well-rounded piano technician.

Meanwhile, I learned the technical skills at the Oscar-Walcker-Schule in Ludwigsburg, one of the leading schools of its kind in Europe. It was there that I undertook my final exams to become a fully qualified piano technician.

After qualifying I stayed on with PIANOVUM as an in-house piano technician, where my work took me to universities, colleges, music schools, and concert halls. In the workshop I gained extensive experience working on a range of instruments, such as Steinway & Sons and Bösendorfer pianos. My work was varied, such as refurbishing black polyester surfaces, installing silent systems, overhauling piano actions and keys, regulation on upright and grand pianos, tuning and voicing.

I moved to Edinburgh in August 2024 after meeting my partner, and spent a year working with McLaren’s Pianos in Glasgow as their preferred tuner. I now work independently, offering my services across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

I am a member of the German Piano Technician Association and an associate of the Pianoforte Tuner Association in the UK. I regularly take part in conventions, seminars and workshops to refine my craft and stay connected with others in the trade. Recent events have included the Akustika - musical instrument convention in Nürnberg and the Pianoforte Tuner Association convention in Harrogate.