Meet the team - Theme and Variations

Ara Vartoukian OAM – Director & Concert Technician

Cert. of Piano Tuning & Technology (SCM) with Merit

Ara is the founder and director of Theme & Variations Piano Services and is regarded as one of Australia’s leading concert technicians and piano experts.

Ara was recently presented with the prestigious honour of being awarded an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for this personal, academic and philanthropic achievements within the piano and music industry. Ara’s accomplishments have set the benchmark for technical acoustic standards both locally and internationally.

Ara’s career started at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he obtained a Certificate with Merit from the School of Piano Tuning & Technology in 1978. He obtained the highest marks of any graduate and set the record for the most accurate tuning within the school. Shortly after Ara was appointed the position of head lecturer at the School of Piano Tuning & Technology at the Conservatorium and held the position until 1985.

Throughout his career Ara has spent time abroad studying in many piano factories such as Yamaha, Ibach, Bechstein, Steinway & Sons (Hamburg & New York), Grotrian, Renner, Bösendorfer and Baldwin. As Ara began to form solid commercial relationships with European piano manufacturers, Theme and Variations Piano Services was appointed the Exclusive NSW and QLD agents for Steinway & Sons pianos (1998 to 2015).

Today Ara leads a team of 7 piano technicians that service both private and institutional clients across the eastern seaboard of Australia, as well as overseeing a dedicated team that manage the piano showroom, showcasing a selection of new and pre-owned pianos across various brands.

Ara and his wife Nyree are highly regarded for their philanthropic commitments within the Australian arts community. To formalise their generosity, in 2011 The Theme & Variations Foundation was established. The foundation provides resourcing, mentorship and financial assistance to young eligible Australian pianists. Over the years the foundation has provided many opportunities to gifted young pianists to fulfil their goals and establish themselves within the arts industry.

Nyree Vartoukian – Director

Nyree co-founded Theme & Variations Piano Services and along with her husband Ara is the backbone of Theme and Variations. Always with a smile, Nyree is the champion of exceptional customer service. With so much knowledge Nyree enjoys guiding and educating customers on the exciting journey of finding the perfect piano. From the beginning Nyree cultivated a community-based approach to her business which has led to the successful long-term exclusive piano partnerships with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva, City Recital Hall and the Australian Chamber Orchestra to name a few. Nyree also enjoys hosting many events in our showroom with customers, arts establishments and artists alike. Take a look at our showroom Hall of Fame .

Along with Ara, Nyree champions many arts community organisations within Australia, in particular nurturing the development of young musicians has always been a focus which led to the establishment of the Theme & Variations Foundation to assist gifted young pianists.

Another initiative championed by Nyree is the Theme & Variations Emerging Artists series that provides young talented pianists with performance opportunities.

Marina Loussikian – Business Manager / Financial Controller

After many years of working as a Financial Professional working in the Finance and Insurance industries, Marina joined Theme & Variations on a part-time basis. She works behinds the scenes by overseeing all service lines and provides strategic, management and commercial advise to all stakeholders.

Marina enjoys the challenges of the arts and its many facets and continues to thrive with her good sense of business direction. It goes without saying that Marina is a true asset to our business.

Ken Hatfield – Concert Technician

Diploma in Piano Technology (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)

Ken graduated from the Sydney University Conservatorium of Music Piano Technology course with the highest marks of all graduates in 2006 and was immediately taken on board by Theme & Variations. Ken has trained at the Steinway Academy in Hamburg by completing an advanced technician’s course to further his knowledge on piano servicing and restoration.

As a senior concert technician Ken works in and around Sydney and regularly tunes for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra International Pianists in Recital Series and at the City Recital Hall and many other concert venues. Ken also travels interstate to festivals such as the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and national Musica Viva tours.

Gabriella Pusner – Piano School, Director

Commencing the piano at age ten, Gabriella attended the Conservatorium of Music High School in Sydney, and studying with Igor Hmelnitsky, graduated with both Teacher and Performer Diplomas from the then NSW State Conservatorium of Music. Subsequently she was awarded the Shadforth Hooper Memorial Prize for the most outstanding recitalist. She went on to represent Australia in several international piano competitions including the first Madame Butterfly Competition in Japan, the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium, the Concert Artists Guild Auditions in New York where she reached the semi-finals, and the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, also reaching the semi-finals.

Tro Vartoukian – Operations Manager

Tro Vartoukian has grown up in the world of pianos through the family business. He has always been exposed to and appreciated a wide variety of musical genre within the cultural life of the arts. His keen sense and understanding of all aspects of Theme and Variations naturally led Tro to officially join the team. He manages the general services of the business, and is also undertaking training to develop his piano tuning and technology skills.

When he’s not surrounded by pianos and his industry peers, Tro enjoys an active sporting and social life, particularly being part of his community basketball team. With a passion for travel, discovering new experiences, and immersing himself into diverse cultures. He also takes the opportunity to visit piano factories and observe the piano building process.

Caitlin Manning – Trainee Piano Technician

Caitlin started her piano tuning apprenticeship at the beginning of 2023. She moved from Canberra to Sydney and is learning under the tutelage and mentorship of Theme & Variation Director and highly regarded concert technician, Ara Vartoukian. Previously graduating with a performance degree from the Australian National University, she has gained an even greater appreciation for pianos than she previously did. She remarks that learning all the aspects of tuning and piano maintenance is a great challenge; one that has been worth pursuing.

Furthermore, Caitlin has loved every minute of the apprenticeship and cannot wait to see where this journey will lead. Her favourite lightbulb moments have been the satisfaction when everything makes sense and the pieces come together coherently.

Caitlin is looking forward to being a part of the service and maintenance side of the music industry, supporting musicians with the quality piano care they deserve.

Ara Vartoukian OAM – Director & Concert Technician

Cert. of Piano Tuning & Technology (SCM) with Merit

Nyree Vartoukian – Director

Marina Loussikian – Business Manager / Financial Controller

Ken Hatfield – Concert Technician

Diploma in Piano Technology (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)

Gabriella Pusner – Piano School, Director

Tro Vartoukian – Operations Manager

Caitlin Manning – Trainee Piano Technician

Head Office & Showroom

Melbourne & Brisbane

Support

Soundboard

Services

Latest News