Life & Work with John Pierce of Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Pierce.

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was a professional opera singer for 20 years. I sang Leading tenor parts around the world. My wife took a position, teaching singing and opera at the University of Minnesota Duluth. As my career was waning, I was looking for things to do in Duluth. I took a voice student who was also a Piano Tuner and we decided to start a Piano store since there was nothing in the area. That was 2014, we started small. Paul helped me get started. My wife provided start-up money, and Yamaha helped me with inventory. It took a couple of years to become profitable, but the progress was steady. I moved into my current location when the building I was in was purchased to build the new Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital. My current showroom is significantly bigger than the original, and my inventory has grown. I am proud to say that my store is a hub for all things Piano in the Twin port and surrounding area.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Learning to run a Business, starting from scratch, wasn’t easy. I like challenges. The center for economic development was a great help. Learning about all of the various aspects of the business, piano moving, piano tuning, digital pianos with all of their functions and possibilities which change and improve all the time, learning about the competition, all of these things were a constant Learning curve But problem-solving was And still is invigorating

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I grew up in a musical family. My dad was a high school band Director and my mother was a piano teacher and could’ve done my dad‘s job but she took care of her four sons. I had piano lessons from a young age. I eventually got two college degrees in vocal performance. I got married, raised two kids, and eventually got a job singing in a theater in Germany, where we both sang for 10 years, raised our kids in German schools and were living the dream that Many singers envy. Eventually, I needed to break away from that place and started singing more broadly around Germany and then the world. We moved back to the United States, My wife took a position as a voice professor. I continue to sing locally on occasion. But I dedicate most of my time to the Piano business. I still teach singing privately. I have pictures of myself and my wife from productions that we did over the years. Those and some recordings are all that’s out there, as a reminder of the years that I was active as a singer. But it is how I identify myself. The piano Has always been a part of my musical life and is necessary to all musicians or people that want to become musicians Or simply want to enjoy music.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My family, my children, Paul the Piano Tuner And his wife the artist, Dan, the Piano Tuner technician and the entire Piano specialist community, Yamaha, the Duluth center for economic , And so many more.
In many ways, my business is the product of an entire community. Piano teachers! Piano professors. Churches and church musicians, young families who want the best for their children, Retired folks who want to learn something new. I have help from a crew of people who Provide adjacent help, moving and delivering, tuning and regulating, as well as helping with the nuts and bolts of business.

Pricing:

• I carry a wide range of instruments, new Yamaha, and other used products, including Steinway.
• There is something in every price range.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DuluthFinePianos.com