Rick Baldassin enjoys a distinguished career in virtually all segments of the piano industry, spanning nearly four decades. As an accomplished musician, with a particular interest in technology, he earned degrees in both Music Performance and Piano Technology from Brigham Young University. Following his formal education, Rick received additional training in factory and concert and artist programs conducted by Fazioli, Steinway, Yamaha, and Baldwin. 

He achieved prominence early in his career as the Chief Concert Piano Technician for the Utah Symphony Orchestra. With his unique teaching skills and wide experience he became a much sought after instructor, teaching at conventions and seminars throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Australia, Italy, Japan, Russia, Korea, and Indonesia. 

Rick has been a member of the Piano Technician’s Guild since 1980, serving numerous times as President and Vice-President of two Utah PTG chapters. The PTG recruited him early on to become the Assistant Technical Editor and Tuning Editor for the Piano Technicians Journal, for which he received a PTG Presidential Citation. Inspired by his mentor James Coleman, Sr., he authored the “On Pitch” series in the Journal. The success of this series led to it being published as a book by the PTG in 1994 and then expanded and reprinted in 2007. He served as a Certified Tuning Examiner and member of the Examinations and Test Standards Committee, receiving another Presidential Citation for his work in re-writing the Examinations Manual, and also served on two different occasions with the Awards Committee. His contributions to the industry and PTG earned him many awards, including: Member of Note in 1991, Hall of Fame in 1999, James H. Burton Award in 2007, Golden Hammer Award in 2014, and the two Presidential Citations referenced above.

His passion for the art and science of tuning led him to co-author the “Baldassin-Sanderson Aural Temperament” with his friend and mentor Albert Sanderson. His interest in technology led him to develop and install modifications to the popular Hale Sight-O-Tuner, which made it the most accurate electronic tuning device available at that time. Several of these features were incorporated into the Sanderson Accu-Tuner, for which he became a distributor.

When Renner USA was established in 1989, providing a stronger presence in North America and creating a U.S. based facility for the research and development of special piano action parts specifically designed for vintage American pianos, Rick was chosen to become the senior technical and teaching consultant. He was instrumental in the development of the Premium Blue and Blue Point hammers, and many other tools and parts manufactured by Renner. He developed the Renner Parts Kit concept and authored the manual “Voicing the Renner Hammer.” Rick created and directed the “Renner All-Star” teaching program, which utilized the talents of the Industry’s top independent technicians. He has taught training seminars for Renner Germany in Moscow and Tokyo. Rick also created the curriculum and serves as the head instructor for the Renner Academy.

Rick, and his wife Cindy, expanded into retail in 1991 and founded Baldassin Pianos, a full-service piano retail business. In addition to new piano sales, his company specializes in the complete custom restoration of grand pianos. Baldassin Pianos has received numerous awards for sales and service from Fazioli and Schimmel, has been appointed a warranty service center for Schimmel, and has provided instruments and concert space for many local, as well as internationally recognized artists.

In 2000, Rick was selected by Fazioli to become their Technical Support Director for North America, and has taught the Fazioli Factory Concert Training Seminar since that time, including seminars in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the United States. Rick also served as a technical consultant to the Falcone, Mason & Hamlin and Pramberger Piano Companies, where he utilized the talents and experience of his long-time friend and mentor Norman Neblett. Rick currently serves as Concert Technician at Brigham Young University, where he has been charged to reinstitute the Piano Technology Training Program.

In summary, Rick is considered one of the foremost authorities on piano action geometry, and hammer construction and voicing, and one of the world’s most knowledgeable and experienced piano technicians. With his many accomplishments and service to the industry, he has developed a legacy that will long be remembered and continue to benefit the industry for decades to come.