Testimonials
"It gives me great pleasure to endorse the services of piano technician, Kendall Hafermehl.
For over 5 years, Dr. Hafermehl has been servicing and tuning the pianos for The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. I have watched him at work and have always been impressed with his reliability and immaculate attention to detail.
As a result, our pianos have always been in perfect condition for the many piano concerto performances given in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at our concerts"
Michael Hope
Assistant Principal Bassoonist
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
"I have had the satisfaction of working with this talented and highly skilled professional over the years and find his work and demeanour far beyond reproach. His reputation and ability is very well known in our industry and he has proven to be a tremendous asset to whatever project that he has become involved in. As a piano tuner and skilled keyboard technician, he is the best there is to offer."
Lanny Williamson
President
The BEACH Advanced Audio Production Inc.
Calgary, Alberta
"Kendall has been our resident Piano Technician here at Ambrose for 10+ years and has serviced our pianos in the music department with great quality care and dependability. He has always been honest and fair when assessing our piano needs." Additionally, he is a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with. My recommendation of him is without qualification!"
Edwin Gnandt
Associate Professor of Music
Ambrose University
Calgary, Alberta
"I have recently had my piano tuned and maintained by Kendall Hafermehl of Hafermehl Piano Services. I was very impressed with the extent of his knowledge and now, with how responsive the piano is to variations of touch. The piano didn't respond this well when it was new. It is a 32 year old Yamaha baby grand piano. I highly recommend their work. Lynn is very pleasant to work with as well."
Wendy Murdock
Cranbrook, BC
"I had the good fortune of having Kendall rebuild my grandmother's (and now my) 1911 Mason and Risch player piano. The player had not been functional for over 70 years and the piano itself was definitely showing its age. The entire process took 9 months and involved a complete rebuild of the player, (done by an associate of his but coordinated by Kendall) refinishing of the cabinet, new felt, strings, pins...you name it! The final result is a piano that still looks like it is a beautiful antique but sounds like it is brand new. Kendall was extremely professional and he constantly kept me up to date with the progress every step of the way with photos and videos. I felt my piano was in very capable hands. His knowledge and experience is first rate and I would recommend him to anyone considering a rebuild."
Corlaine Legge
St Albert, AB
"Dr. Kendall Hafermehl has been tuning our pianos for the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) at the University of Calgary for many years. We have been extremely happy with his work on both our concert grand pianos and our rehearsal room pianos throughout the SCPA. This work includes The Rozsa Centre, The University Theatre and The Divisions of Drama and Music.
Kendall is always professional, on time and his quality of work is very consistent. He takes the necessary amount of time to ensure that our pianos are properly prepared for all our concerts and events.
Personally, I find that Kendall is very easy to work with; he is calm, patient and always in a good mood He has strong attention to detail and will not leave the stage until he is satisfied that the instrument is at its best."
Luke Dalgren
Stage Manager, Rosza Centre
University Theatre Services
School of Creative and Performing Arts
Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary
Dear Kendall:
“Thank-you for the excellent service and work on my Kawai piano – It was a new piano before you serviced it – it is now better than new! Now that I have played it for about a month, I am very happy with the result – much easier to play evenly and softly with less fatigue after playing. I also appreciate the new mellower sound.”
Diane Gordon
Calgary, AB
“Hi Kendall - I have to tell you that Saturday at OCL when we were listening back later in the day, I heard instantly the "after" sound in the piano. Thanks for making me sound good!”
Tricia Edwards
Calgary, AB
Jazz Recording Artist
"Kendall was amazing to deal with from start to finish. He was upfront about the timing and cost estimate, and kept me updated on the work he was doing throughout the entire process. He was able to bring my Mason and Hamlin BB from sluggish to a concert level instrument.
Being one of only a few technicians across the country that is trained in higher-end pianos, and more specifically, endorsed by Mason and Hamlin USA, he was able to diagnose the issues and make confident recommendations. He replaced several components on the action; ensured the keys were correctly weighted; and tuned it so that it has all the ‘gruffness’ of a blues/jazz piano, with the soul of a beast in the bass and voice of a delicate angel in the treble.
I can’t emphasize enough the professionalism he brings to his trade, and the passion he exudes. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my piano, and look forward to him keeping it in tip-top shape over the years."
Julia Cormack
Calgary, Alberta
"The service was excellent and Kendall was professional, knowledgable and very thorough. Kendall's expertise and passion are evident in his work. I would not hesitate to recommend Kendall to anyone who requires maintenance or work on their piano"
Lois Milne
Calgary, Alberta
"Kendall - I am forever grateful for the day I stumbled across your path. Over a two-year journey, I went from thinking I'd simply upgrade to a bigger upright, to getting my absolute dream piano. You gave me the confidence to search out and find an old Steinway, make sure it was up to snuff, and then you transformed it into one that shines above anything else I've played in a similar size. Your meticulous attention to detail is positively old-world. You don't just rebuild pianos. You lovingly craft them into the best they can be."
Jeff Sotropa
Cranbrook, BC
Composer, Musician, Writer, Marketer
“A note of thanks for your outstanding tunings on the Bechstein for the ATCO/Spruce Meadows event. It was a solid tuning with beautiful character and life in it, which complemented the fullness of the piano nicely.”
William L. Cunningham
Calgary, AB
Composer, Pianist
I have had the pleasure of working with Kendall Hafermehl for the past 5 years at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Arts Commons. Kendall is always available to answer questions and do what is necessary to keep our pianists happy. These artists have included orchestra pianists as well as rock and roll or blues musicians. We have received many compliments over the years regarding how good our pianos sound after Kendall has been in to tune them ."
Rikki Schlosser
Alternate Head of Stage
Jack Singer Concert Hall - Arts Commons
"I just wanted to thank you again for the amazing work you did on the piano before Sunday's concert. The difference was astonishing after you worked on it, and Kirill and I were so grateful as it made our time on stage so much more enjoyable!"
Julia Hagaar
Calgary, AB
Educator and Performer "Duo Polaris"
"I am the second owner of a 1933 Nordheimer baby grand. One tuning and a few days of work of regulating, tuning & voicing by Kendall transformed the instrument. I have in my wanderings around the planet played a few of the better Steinways and some Bechsteins and Bosendorfers. Kendall has taken my piano from “good” to what I can only describe as “concert level”.
Gary MacDonald
Cranbrook, BC
“I forgot how amazing a piano tuned by Kendall Hafermehl sounds!!! Thank you!! Everything I play sounds good. Truly the master of voicing....”
Michelle Marie Gervais
St. Albert, AB
"I approached Kendall about restoring my Sohmer baby grand. Unsure as to what the process should and would entail. Kendall outlined what work should be done on my piano, and offered me 3 different plans. He was very professional, explained in great detail as to the steps he was taking and kept in close contact with where he was at in the process. It was a major overhaul and I was so thrilled and happy with the outcome!!! The love and precision that went into the work is evident and I am eternally thankful. It was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend Kendall’s work."
Audrey Bisset
Piano and Voice Teacher
Trail, BC
"Kendall turned a sow’s ear into a silk purse with this tune today. Incredible voicing, really.”
Chad Rowbotham
Calgary, AB
"Kendall has looked after both of my Steinways for years. Knowledgeable, competent and good service whenever I need it, both in Calgary and out in the Invermere area."
Harvey Doerr
Calgary, AB
Invermere, AB
"I am VERY PLEASED with Kendall's work today. My piano is inspiring to play again! I'm delighted the fallboard now closes properly and the best it ever has! I am sorry I put off contacting you for so long."
Gratefully,
Jana Jordan
Cochrane, AB
"We had the great pleasure of meeting Kendall and having him tune my piano after moving it across Canada. My piano has life again. Kendall takes the time to explain his recommendations and shares his knowledge about caring for your instrument to keep it the best it can be. He is very skilled, friendly and professional. We are very happy to have found Kendall and hope he will keep my piano sounding great for years to come."
Bonnie Arnold
Kimberly, BC