Hall Piano - Service and Technical Staff
Matt McWilliams
Craftsmen Level Technician
Steinway Concert & Artist Technician
Steinway Factory Trained (Level 4)
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 1983
As a native of Pennsylvania, Matt moved to New Orleans in 1974. Legend has it that Matt was born with a tuning fork in hand and cried as a baby in the key of A. He began studying piano technology as a member of the U.S. Navy Band and became a craftsmen level technician in the late 1970’s.
Shortly after Hall Piano Company’s dealership appointment in 2004, Matt began attending the world renown C.F. Theodore Steinway Technical Academy in order to advance his already highly regarded skills. Today, Matt stands as the only technician in the entire state of Louisiana to have successfully completed three out of the four course studies offered. Matt is on track to complete his factory technical studies in 2007. His commitment to this continuing training ensures Hall Piano Company’s clients that their new Steinway piano will arrive to their home and be maintained to the highest level available anywhere in the world.
Matt is happily married and has two daughters.
John Smith
Craftsmen Level Technician
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 1987
John began his formal training as a piano technician in 1980 and rapidly progressed achieving the level of Craftsmen Technician in 1982. As a highly valued member of the Hall Piano Company family since 1987, John oversees final inspection of most new and used pianos prior to delivery. Under his watchful eye, Hall Piano Company has been able to provide a level of Customer Satisfaction unparalleled in the State of Louisiana.
As a lifelong resident of the greater New Orleans area, John has been married since1970 and has three children that have achieved success in their respective careers. Ever the proud father, John’s daughter is a highly respected pharmacist in Florida, his eldest son is a film editor in Utah, and his youngest son is completing his Doctorate in computer technology at John Hopkins University.
Prior to John’s career in piano service, he could be seen playing acoustic bass six nights a week in various performance venues with one of New Orleans most respected Dixieland bands.
Marko Fischer
Hall Piano Company Restoration Shop Manager
Member PTG
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2001
Marko moved from Germany in 2001 after marrying a New Orleans native. Without any previous piano rebuilding experience, he accepted an opportunity to start working at Hall Piano Company that same year to provide for his new family. During the next year, Marko developed a love for working on pianos, and despite language barriers he became the shop manager in 2003. In 2004, he became an associate member of the Piano Technician’s Guild and is currently working towards becoming a registered piano technician.
Marko has a deep love for Jesus Christ and to his honor gives one hundred percent in his work efforts. “I am thankful to God for everything I achieved at Hall Piano Company.” Marko wants for each piano owner to take joy in his or her piano returned back from restoration or repair. “This is the highest reward for my efforts.”
Besides his work, he is a devoted husband to his wife Rebecca and “papa” of two children.
Jeremy Deubler
Factory Certified PianoDisc & QRS Installation Technician
Piano Rebuilder
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2004
Jeremy began working at Hall Piano in May 2004. He became an Associate Member of the Piano Technician’s Guild later that year. He is now working to complete his certification as a registered piano technician.
In January of 2006, Jeremy became a factory certified installer of the PianoDisc player piano system, having completed training at their factory in Sacramento, CA. Jeremy has lived in New Orleans all of his life and plays in several local bands. His musical training began at a young age.
“I find working at Hall Piano enjoying and challenging and am proud to be among the knowledgeable and dedicated staff.”
Justin Womble
Associate Member PTG
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2007
Justin was born andraised in St. Bernard Parish and has been playing music since the age offourteen. Justin evacuated to Michiganand spent a year there after Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed theirfamily home. One year later, Justinreturned to New Orleans to get married and once again, live in his favoritecity. February 2007, Justin joined theHall Piano Company staff and began his studies in piano restoration and careunder the tutelage of Marco Fischer.
Michael Gillon
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2005
Mike attended trade school when he was 18 years old, studying automotive body and fender work. The first time the woodworking department had the body shop finish out some wood cabinets, a light went off in Mike’s head. “What a beautiful transformation… from raw wood to finished wood... that’s for me!” Mike quickly abandoned body and fender work in favor of finishing furniture as a lifelong quest.
Four years into refinishing furniture for one of the larger restoration shops, a local piano technician contracted them to refinish a 1910 Steinway and Sons grand piano. “In an attempt to achieve the perfect finish, I spent three times as long as it should have taken me. I had nothing to go on but limited direction from the technician. The results were satisfying. It wasn’t perfect (as I had hoped) however, it was the most satisfying job ever.
Mike has spent the last 20 years pursuing the perfect piano finish.Mike has been happily married for over 18 years. He and his wife Lee Ann have a beautiful daughter, who is taking honors classes in her school. On nights and weekends you can find Mike playing pool, or working in his garden.
Douglas Jiles
Hall Piano Company Family Member Since 2005
Through working in the gaming industry in New Orleans, Doug learned the trade of installing and re-covering billiard tables. After a while, customers began asking Doug if he could refinish or restore their tables. Doug began buying and selling tables and, even, fabricating new parts for antique tables. He is also a featured columnist for “Inside Pool” magazine, doing his best to spread the word about the history and restorations of antique and period billiard tables.
"When one plays a Steinway, there is a warmth and nobility in the sound that is unequalled by any other instrument."
