Jessica Thaemert
Office Manager
Jessica Thaemert started with Volunteer Piano in July 2021. She received an Undergraduate Degree in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in 2008 and a Master’s Degree in Sports & Leisure Commerce from the University of Memphis in 2010. Jessica moved with her husband in January of 2013 to manage a music retail location in Knoxville, TN. From that job, she has developed skills in marketing, finance, accounting, bookkeeping, ordering, scheduling, and payroll that she is able to utilize with Volunteer Piano. Jessica enjoys exploring East TN and the surrounding areas with her husband, Wyatt, and daughter, Lennon.
Matt Belk
Tuner/Technician, Piano Lifesaver/Dampp Chaser Certified Installer
Matt is a Knoxville native who began his new life with the Volunteer Piano family in 2014 studying as Josh Gaither’s apprentice. Before following his true passion of pianos, Matt had a 12-year career as a television technical director; notably at WVLT-TV in Knoxville. Matt never hesitates to pursue opportunities to grow both himself and his knowledge of music and the piano world.
Post-apprenticeship, Matt kept working in the field and shop as a professional tuner and technician. Late in 2016, he added Dampp-Chaser installation and service to his list of talents, then in November 2019 attended his first seminar at the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria, New York City.
Matt’s patience and attitude towards learning are a good fit for a piano tuner, and he cares deeply for both the pianos he services and the people he meets. To help Volunteer Piano better serve you, Matt has earned certificates of completion in the following, and looks forward to adding more in the future:
- Steinway & Sons Regulation and Touch Seminar
- Dampp-Chaser Co. Piano Life Saver System Certified Installer
Julia Haas
Tuner/Technician
Julia Haas joined Volunteer Piano after completing a Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Tennessee. She has enjoyed becoming as familiar with the inside of her instrument as she is with the keys. In her free time, Julia loves exploring new places, spending time with her two cats, and beating challenging video game bosses.
One of her biggest passions is developing the next generation of musicians, and she enjoys giving piano lessons in the Knoxville area. Julia started playing the piano at six years old, and the thousands of hours she has spent practicing have given her extensive knowledge of what pianists need from their instruments. Her love for her instrument translates into the care she puts into her work, and she enjoys spending time on the smallest details inside each piano.
Ryan Stennes
Tuner/Technician, Piano Lifesaver/Dampp Chaser Certified Installer
Ryan Stennes has been working for Volunteer Piano Since 2020. Previously, he operated his own piano technician business out of Chicago, IL. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from UTK and a Master’s Degree in Architectural Acoustics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ryan also holds a certificate for having completed the Piano Tuning and Repair course at the Piano Technician Academy.
Ryan has gained the proper knowledge necessary for piano tuning and repair through training at the Piano Technician Academy as well as mentorships by skilled technicians in Illinois and Tennessee. Ryan also previously served as the technician for American Music World in Elmhurst, IL where he repaired and tuned the pianos in-store.
Wyatt Thaemert
Tuner/Technician, QRS Player Piano Certified Installer
Wyatt Thaemert moved to Knoxville in 2012 with his wife to manage a music retail store, specializing in pianos and fretted instruments. Through the 12 years of experience in musical instrument sales and repairs, Wyatt developed an extensive knowledge of technical and physical attributes of pianos that aid him in assessing an instrument’s needs to perform at the highest levels. He is also an experienced luthier, with more than 15+ years of experience in building and repairing fretted instruments. When he is not working on musical instruments, Wyatt enjoys disc golf, spending time with his 4-year-old daughter, and playing guitar.
Jacob Lay
Tuner/Technician
Jacob Lay is a native of Atlanta, GA, and is currently based in Knoxville Tennessee post-graduation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Simpson College in Indianola, IA in Vocal Performance, and a Master’s degree from The University of Tennessee for the same. He’s a recent addition to the VP team and is focused on learning all aspects of the piano technician craft. Outside of music, Jacob enjoys hobbies like Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, and bowling.
Josh Gaither
Owner/Tuner/Technician, Piano Lifesaver/Dampp Chaser Certified Installer
Josh Gaither established Volunteer Piano in 2008 in Knoxville, TN. He has been a Knoxville resident for the past 30+ years and is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a Forward Observer. He attended Pellissippi Technical Community College, and later the University of Tennessee, where he studied jazz piano performance, music theory and composition, and ethnomusicology.
He has completed apprenticeships under and was mentored by the most respected piano technicians in the Knoxville area, where he gained extensive and valuable knowledge of all elements of piano tuning, service, and restoration. The expertise, dedication to perfection, and general knowledge of these technical masters of piano molded Josh into the piano tuner and technician that he is today.
Josh is a Steinway Approved Technician (SAT) and the go-to Steinway technician for East Tennessee. He has traveled to the Steinway factory in Astoria, Queens, NY to complete training courses in the following:
1. Steinway and Sons Voicing and Tone Production Seminar
2. Steinway and Sons Damper Installation Seminar
3. Steinway and Sons Regulation and Touch Seminar
4. Steinway and Sons Spirio Technical Training Seminar
5. Steinway and Sons Spirio r Technical Training Seminar
