Wayne with Vadym Kholodenko,

2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competition Gold Medalist

Pearl Piano is a family business with five generations of experience. Our team now includes Wayne's son and daughter, Carey and Pearl.

We continue to serve concert artists from around the world as well as major institutions, including Canada National Ballet School, Heliconian Club, and the CBC.

WHO WE ARE

Our story begins with Wayne Chen, whose great-grandfather founded the first piano-building company in China. After apprenticing with his grandfather for ten years, Wayne won the post of chief technician at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

In 1987, he was invited by Steinway & Sons to continue his training at the factory in Hamburg, Germany. Afterwards he traveled to the United States to work for Chicago Symphony Orchestra. During his time in the U.S., Wayne also worked at the renowned ProPiano Company in New York City, during which time he rebuilt concert grands for both the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Wayne came to Toronto in 1993 and started Pearl Piano in 1994 to realize his dream of rebuilding his own pianos. Until his recent semi-retirement, Wayne was the technician at all the major concert venues in Toronto including Massey Hall, St. Lawrence Centre, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

Rob Sutherland, Sales Manager

Rob has been playing piano and organ for almost fifty years, encompassing all styles of music, including but not limited to, classical, jazz, new-age, rock & roll and latin.

He began his professional keyboard career in a progressive pop/rock band in the 1970's. After extensive gigs on the road, he began selling pianos, organs & keyboards for a major retailer in Toronto.

During his sales career, he has also kept up with his performance engagements, which included various musical theatre productions, private solo piano, church & jazz band gigs.

OUR TEAM

One of his most exciting jobs was playing organ for The Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens during the late 1980's.

He later became a recording artist for the famous "Solitudes Record label" during the 1990's. During this time he composed, arranged and recorded the music for 4 separate CD's. The first CD entitled "Serenity" achieved Gold Status (over 50,000 copies sold worldwide). Rob has also taught piano and organ to students of all ages.

What our Customers Say about Us

"Wayne is reliable, conscientious and he listens. One couldn't hope for better."

- John Terauds, Founder-blogger at MusicalToronto.org

Marijana Zovko, Richmond Hill

Rob was patient, professional and helpful throughout the process. He played a piano for us, and even brought some notes for our son to give it a try. [A] Few days after our visit, Rob called us to see where we stand with our decision and made himself available to answer any additional questions for us. Everything felt like an easy, no pressure and smooth experience. Great store, wonderful sales person and one more happy customer!

Chun, Waterloo

We were greeted by Carlisle, his professionalism and sincerity was evident in the process of helping us choose the most suitable piano. We ended up buying a piano that meets our budget and has a good sound and touch. After shopping five different stores in the GTA area, I think we are quite happy to have made the final purchase at Piano and Keyboard Centre.

Suny, Toronto

Rob, you were nothing but professional and encouraging notwithstanding being aware that I wasn't buying a piano from you today. I needed guidance and you provided just that. I thank you so very much. Carey was exactly what I expected and gave me the confidence I really needed to take the plunge. Thank you once again.

Mary and Michael Wong, 2019

Thank you for a wonderful piano shopping experience. You have helped us navigate through many different pianos and with your amazing piano playing skills allowed us to decide on the piano to purchase.

Liam is very happy to finally have a 'real' piano and we are grateful we found someone like you with knowledge of pianos and providing outstanding customer service.