Russell D. Berkley was introduced to the piano in 1966 in Garden Grove, CA, when his parents bought their first upright piano. His interest in the instrument became obvious immediately, and prompted his mother to enroll him in piano lessons at the age of 6.

When he was 13 he received his first electronic organ as a gift, and joined the band Stratosphere. It was during his time as their keyboardist, that he developed a great interest in the mechanical aspects and inner workings of pianos and keyboards.

At the age of 16 he entered Yamaha School of Music’s Piano Technology Division in Buena Park, CA. There Russell trained with world renown instructors — and Registered Piano Technicians — Francis Mahaffey & LeRoy Edwards.

While at Yamaha, he became a member of the Piano Technicians Guild, and went to work rebuilding pianos at a small piano rebuilding shop, Ansdale Piano.

In 1983 Russell began working for Gould Music, a chain of piano stores in Southern California, where he would stay for the next 10 years. For the last 7 years of this time he also ran his own rebuilding shop (Pianna Rebuilding Shop).

For the last 10 years he has owned his own complete piano service here in San Diego (Russell D. Berkley, Registered Piano Technician), where he services all makes and models of fine grand pianos. Specializing in piano restoration, rebuilding, refinishing and cd player piano system installation, Russell's client list includes Better Midler, David Benoit, Giovanni, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Russell is an active musician in the Southern California music scene, and can be seen performing regularly at San Diego and Orange County venues with award winning local bands like Antonio Pontarelli, The Kelly Bowlin Band, and Bass Hamza.

See more about Russell D. Berkley the musician, at www.myspace.com/russellberkley.