Following a nationwide search, Shenandoah Conservatory is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Israel Schossev as its Lead Piano Technician, a new senior position created to support the conservatory’s fleet of pianos, including its growing fleet of Steinway grand pianos.
A master piano technician with 25 years of experience, Schossev has been the proprietor of Woodstock Piano Company, which provides piano services to many of the finest musicians and institutions in New York City.
Previously, he served as a technician for Steinway & Sons, where he worked with all of the Steinway grand models. Schossev’s many regular clients include The Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Estonia Piano Factory, composers George Tsontakis and Richard Teitelbaum, and concert pianist Pascal Rogé.
“We are so delighted that Israel will be taking on this important senior position beginning this January,” said Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory Michael Stepniak. “Given that the piano has such a central role in our artistry and performance, this is as much an artistic position as it is a curatorial one. Israel comes with a record of working around pianos with the highest level of artistry, and people with the highest level of integrity.”
“This hire represents the conservatory’s and university’s commitment to both ensuring the long-term integrity and value of our investment in a fleet of the very best pianos, and ongoing access for our students, faculty and audiences to the very best musical sound that our All-Steinway School Initiative can provide.”
In his new role, Schossev will be responsible for performing maintenance, voicing, regulation and repair on concert and premier Steinway instruments. He will oversee apprentice student and part-time tuning staff to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of all regular and practice instruments.