[pianotech] My first convention

[Don Mannino]

Rob,

It was truly an excellent convention - exceeded my expectations as well.  I
had great people in my
classes, and you were part of that!

Don Mannino RPT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob McCall" <rob at mccallpiano.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 7:45 PM
Subject: [pianotech] My first convention


> Greetings all,
>
> I've only been a member of the PTG for about 3 months.  This past week  I
> went to Grand Rapids for my first annual convention. I just wanted  to
> share my experience for anyone who is new to the PTG or has never  been to
> the convention. I also wanted to say thanks to those who  volunteered
> their time and shared their immense knowledge and years of  experience
> with the rest of us.
>
> By nature I'm not a very shy person, but I was somewhat reluctant to
> attend the convention. This is a change of careers for me and I was
> unsure what type of people I'd find there. I didn't want to feel like  I
> was an outsider for 5 days in a strange town.  :-)
>
> What I found instead, were some of the most helpful and encouraging  group
> of the finest ladies and gentlemen that I've ever encountered.   I met
> dozens of extremely nice people along with a few characters, as  well!
> (you know who you are!) :-) Its as if I found a new home with a  long lost
> group of friends that I'd never met before. I can truly say  it was a
> pleasure meeting absolutely everyone that I was able to meet.  I didn't
> have a single uncomfortable or bad encounter with anyone.
>
> The educational opportunities were immense.  The day I spent with  Laroy
> from Yamaha learning the 37 steps of regulation and the class on  action
> geometry with Richard Davenport were eye-opening and highly
> informational! Classes with Jim Geiger, Steve Brady, Jack Wyatt, Dean
> Reyburn, Randy Potter, Don Mannino and a host of others, all exceeded  my
> expectations. I truly believe that was one of the most educational  (and
> sleep deprived!) weeks of my career! I hope to see an RPT after  my name
> in the next year or so.
>
> To top it off, I was able to sit in and play jazz piano with the A440
> band along with Gordon and Tom, the other two pianists.  I hadn't  played
> big band jazz in more than a decade. I had a grin on my face  that lasted
> well after the Yamaha reception ended.  I hope to be able  to participate
> with the band in Vegas, too!
>
> Which brings to mind, if someone has a picture from that evening (the
> Yamaha reception) that shows me playing the piano I'd love to get a  copy.
> That's because my 16 year old daughter says if I don't have a  pic, it
> didn't happen...  :-)  I was the pianist in the blue hawaiian  shirt that
> evening. Please forward to my email address... Thanks.
>
> As a new Associate member, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone  for
> welcoming me into the PTG along with all your offers of help and
> assistance. I am truly in awe of your generosity.
>
> With warm regards,
>
> Rob McCall
> Murrieta, CA
>