Biography
Krista Coppedge first started her voyage into the piano technology world after taking a survey class with Anne Garee, head of the Piano Technology Masters Program at Florida State University, while completing her undergraduate work in studio art. Thus, a seed was planted, and within two months of peering inside a piano, Krista found herself enrolled in the Piano Technology Certificate Program at the University of Western Ontario in Canada.
Her time spent at UWO involved the rebuilding of upright and grand pianos belonging to the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, learning the art of tuning, and working closely with some of the top piano technicians in North America. She also was given the opportunity to visit the Steinway factory, Steinway Hall, and the Yamaha Piano dealership in New York City and the Mason and Hamlin factory in Haverhill, MA. During her training at UWO, Krista was one of three students selected to prepare pianos for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, ON.
After completing her training in Ontario, she spent her summer as a piano technology intern at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and Schoolunder the guidance of Steve Brady. Her duties involved the upkeep of practice room and teaching studio pianos, and spent her free time attending numerous concerts and studying under the many talented concert piano technicians for the festival.
In May 2016, Krista completed the Renner Academy, a week-long class held in Scottsdale, AZ. She received extensive training in action geometry and preparing Renner action parts with a few of the country’s top technicians. She completed training for harpischords in 2019 at North Bennet Street School with builder Allan Winkler, and went on to maintain and prepare harpsichords for UC San Diego.
After building her business and honing her skills in San Diego, Krista decided to move back to the South, taking over the business of Bill Huesman in Winston-Salem, NC.
Prior to her piano technology career, Krista studied piano from second to twelfth grade, and by the age of 15, started work as a local accompanist for churches and schools. In sixth grade, she began to study the trumpet, and excelled quickly. During her freshman year of high school, she was accepted into the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the JSYO Chamber Music Program, and played with many gifted musicians from all over the Jacksonville area until she graduated in 2005. She then chose to pursue another passion of hers: photography. Starting at the University of North Florida, where she was accepted into the Honors Program, she transferred to Florida State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning spots in various exhibits nationwide for her photography, as well as scholarships, including the undergraduate award for the Society of Photographic Education, SE region and the FSU Asztalos Art Award.
Krista enjoys playing all types of music and musical instruments. When she’s not around a piano, you can find her hiking with her dog or under the hood of a car.