ABOUT

 After graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Jay Ammen continued developing his musical skills for the next 38 years working for Jordan Kitt's Music Co.  There, he spent years tuning pianos, repairing band instruments, selling pianos and organs, and teaching lessons.  Jordan Kitt's grew into the largest Steinway dealer on the east coast, providing Mr. Ammen with numerous oppotunities to tune, repair, finish, and even write the American service manual for Young Chang Akki.  He also traveled all over the United States setting up dealers and conducting sales and service meetings.  He became the National Service Manager for Young Chang Akki.  Mr. Ammen spent the last eleven years at Jordan Kitt's as a Master Technicican for the Richmond Steinway showroom.

 

The most exciting times were working in the Concert and Artists Division of Jordan Kitt's doing concert preparation, tuning, and voicing Steinway pianos (and others) for many artists, incuding:

 

Victor Borge  -  Rosmary Clooney

Steve Allen  -  Mel Torme

Michael Feinstein  -  George Shearing

Peggy Lee  -  Natalie Cole

Peter Nero  -  Tony Bennett

Lynda Carter  -  Barbara Streisand

Pavorati  -  Henry Mancini

Johnny Cash  -  Aretha Franklin

 

Mr. Ammen has also prepared pianos for the following:

 

Inaugural Balls of Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and Bush, Sr.

Kennedey Center, Washington, DC  -  VCU, Richmond, VA

Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC  -  Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA

US Supreme Court, Washington, DC  -  Roanoke College, Salem, VA

Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA  -  UVA, Charlottesville, VA

Radford University, Radford, VA  -  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Randolph Macon College, Ashland, VA  -  Marymount University, Arlington, VA

Randolph College, Lynchburg, VA  -  VA Museum of Arts, Richmond, VA

 

 

pianotunerjay@gmail.com  •  804.240.3326