And who is Annie Grieshop

And who is Annie Grieshop?

I started playing the piano when I was tall enough to reach the keys. That is one of my earliest memories: standing on my tippy-toes so I could reach those elusive keys! I still have that piano, too!

When I was about 15, I announced to my parents that I wanted to be a piano tuner. They didn't think that was an acceptable idea....

So I went off to college and did a BA in Anthropology and an MA in American Studies. For a bunch of years, I worked mostly in museums, which was really very interesting.

Eventually, I landed in Ames, Iowa, and joined a community old-time dance band, playing guitar. After several enjoyable years of that, I switched to piano and moved on to playing with other bands. For a classically-trained pianist, playing for dances is a real hoot -- who knew you could have so much fun?

Near the end of the last century, when I was at a Major Decision Point in my life, I heard that my piano technician was looking for an apprentice -- and I knew it was finally time to do what I had always dreamed of doing. I studied with him, and I went through a home-study course. And I joined the Piano Technicians Guild, which was one of the smartest things I've ever done.

These days, my life is pretty much all about pianos in one way or another:

I am overjoyed to finally be a Piano Technician and am working toward becoming a Registerd Piano Technician (which means passing three tough tests administered by the Guild -- I have one to go).

I play for dances as often as I can in The Good Old Way and other bands. TGOW plays for barndances (otherwise known as contradances), but I also play for Scottish and English country dancing.

And I am currently developing support materials for aspiring piano technicians, as well as products for piano teachers to help them communicate better with their students on technical concepts.

Other than that, I sing Sacred Harp music and do a little writing for the Wapsipinicon Almanac at Route 3 Press. Check this out for information about Sacred Harp singing in Iowa.

It's a great life!

	I am overjoyed to finally be a Piano Technician and am working toward becoming a Registerd Piano Technician (which means passing three tough tests administered by the Guild -- I have one to go).
	I play for dances as often as I can in The Good Old Way and other bands. TGOW plays for barndances (otherwise known as contradances), but I also play for Scottish and English country dancing.
	And I am currently developing support materials for aspiring piano technicians, as well as products for piano teachers to help them communicate better with their students on technical concepts.