Meet The Team
We are a family-run business with over 20 years experience in the piano and music industry staffed by passionate and piano-loving people.
We pride ourselves on being small enough to give every customer undivided personal care and attention, while being respected industry-wide as dedicated professionals with a sincere interest in nurturing the musical community.
The New South Wales Team
Ara Vartoukian
Partner & Concert Technician
Cert. of Piano Tuning & Technology (SCM) with Merit
Ara Vartoukian founded Theme & Variations Piano Services in 1985 as a service/piano repair company and expanded the business to include a retail showroom. Prior to forming Theme & Variations, Ara was lecturer in charge at the School of Piano Tuning & Technology at Sydney Conservatorium of Music from 1982 and 1985 and has also participated in piano technology conventions across Australia and New Zealand.
In 1997, Ara was awarded the exclusive dealership for Steinway & Sons pianos in NSW and in 2005 was also awarded the exclusive dealership for Steinway & Sons in QLD. Ara has gained vast experience studying with many piano manufacturing companies around the world including Steinway, Yamaha, Ibach, Grotrian Steinwge, Bosendorfer, Bechstein and Young Chang. As well as taking care of pianos across many private homes, educational institutions and performance venues around Sydney, Ara also helps the many pianos that come into Theme & Variations find the right place to call home.
Ben Ward
Marketing and Operations Manager
Ben joined Theme & Variations NSW in 2010. Ben is a talented all-round musician with a background in jazz and classical piano and also a recognised song writer and composer. On weekends you will find him either recording demos with his brother Tim, or, teaching voice and piano to his adoring students. Aside from his amazing musicianship, Ben has a passion for creative business and is the perfect fit to help customers resolve their piano issues, or realize their piano dreams.
Ken Hatfield
Technician
Diploma in Piano Technology (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)
Ken graduated from the Conservatorium of Music’s Piano Technology Course with the highest marks of all graduates in 2006 and was immediately taken on board at Theme & Variations. Ken currently services pianos all around Sydney and has trained with the Steinway Academy in Hamburg to complete an advanced technician’s course to further his knowledge on service and restoration of pianos.
Nyree Vartoukian
Partner
Nyree looks after the hearts, minds and stomachs of everyone that works and visits Theme & Variations.
The Queensland Team
Alice Taylor
Product Manager
B.A. Music - Classical Piano
Alice joined the Newstead showroom in QLD as a product manager after completing her Bachelors in Music (Classical Piano) at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Alice has extensive experience as an accompanist and pianist for many musical theatre productions and is in demand as a choral accompanist. Her role sees her handle sales, coordinate service department and events. Alice brings not only her vast musical knowledge to her role, but her passion for fashion and shoes which equally matches her love of music.
Brian Wilson
Technician
Since completing an apprenticeship in 1988, Brian has worked for various retailers around Brisbane and also enjoyed a period of self employment. Having the opportunity over the past 20 years to work on all brands and a range of models, Brian has found his real passion lies in grand piano tuning and preparation. This passion further grew when he had the opportunity to study overseas, with training in Japan in 2001 with Kawai, and in 2007, Schimmel in Germany. Brian has a varied cliental from the student and hobby pianists through to professional music teachers in private practice to tertiary level as well as leading schools, including Somerset College (all Steinway School) and Moreton Bay College. He is currently the resident technician for The Queensland Orchestra’s studios in West End and also prepares the pianos for ABC Classic FM for live broadcasts and recording sessions.
Greg Thompson
QLD Manager
B.Mus.Ed (QCGU), M.Ed. (USQ), MTAQ
Greg is based at the Brisbane showroom and comes to Theme & Variations Piano Services with a background in education and marketing. After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium, he worked in various places such as Vanuatu, the Torres Strait and China. Having seen more the world than of Australia, Greg is happy to plan a few travels with his family to various corners of the continent.
Paul Knight
Concert Technician/Workshop Manager
Paul currently is a full-time technician with Theme & Variations Piano Services restores and services pianos all around Queensland and has trained with the Steinway Academy in Hamburg to complete an advanced technician’s course to further his knowledge on service and restoration of pianos.
Book A Test Play
There's no other way to choose the right piano than by feeling it and hearing it.
Contact Us
Call NSW: (02) 9958 9888
Call QLD: (07) 3666 0650
Send us an email
Locations
NSW
451 Willoughby Road
Willoughby NSW 2068
QLD
60 Commercial Road
Newstead QLD 4006