2016-now: Absolute Piano Tuning and Restoration, Lowell MA. This is a small piano rebuilding shop. Pianos of 50 to 150 years of age come from schools, venues homes. Guided by shop owner Mr. Jude Reveley, we change everything from soundboard to strings, keyboard, action parts, screws, etc. The piano surface is refinished upon request. The shop owner redesigns the piano action ratio, string scale, and more to achieve a better sound, power, and touch than when the piano was manufactured decades or over one hundred ago. I am very fortunate to work and learn here. On weekends and days off, I service pianos in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.
2014-2016: Piano Technology at North Bennet Street School, Boston MA. We learned how to tune, repair, and rebuild pianos from our beloved Mentors David Betts, Debbie Cyr, Emily Townsend, and Jack Stebbins. Whenever there are problems in pianos that are beyond my ability to solve, they are always there supporting me with information and hands on instructions. Their knowledge, tips, smiles, encouragements, and kindness are my everyday energy source and light of hope during deep down times. They guide me to service each piano, big or small, just like my own.
2012-2020: Jim's Bagel & Bake Shoppe. This was my first job in the United States. Working with friends from many countries widened my view of life and understanding of people in general. The shop owner Mr. Jim Santo kindly let us do any task we were willing to accomplish, from making sandwiches to filling and dusting donuts, making Italian pastries, even making bagels. Here we, mostly immigrants, improved our English by servicing customers and trying to communicate with each other. Here I received the first ever paycheck. Now Jim's son Jamie is running the shop continuing the family tradition.
2011-2013: Master’s Degree in Teaching English as Second Language at Salem State University. The education here is efficient and professors knowledgeable. However I found standing in front of a whole class is not what I feel comfortable. On a usual study day, I was sitting near the Music Department writing homework. Piano technician Doug Tybor was tuning studio pianos. He allowed me to observe behind him. He gave me the information of North Bennet Street School, Boston MA. Here one can be trained to tune, regulate, repair, and rebuild pianos.
2008-2011: English-Mandarin Translator for Sino-American 1+2+1 Program. The Chinese participating universities send students to U.S. to study for year 2&3, they study at home school for year 1&4. Students receive dual degrees from both institutes. We translated letters between Chinese and U.S. universities. It was our be loved boss, Mr. Jianning Hua, who sent his employees to Salem State University, Salem MA. He insisted that we go out to see the world. Unfortunately he passed away 3 months after we left China in 2011. Gratitude to him for the rest of my life.
2008-2011: English-Mandarin Translator for Sino-American 1+2+1 Program. The Chinese participating universities send students to U.S. to study for year 2&3, they study at home school for year 1&4. Students receive dual degrees from both institutes. We translated letters between Chinese and U.S. universities. It was our be loved boss, Mr. Jianning Hua, who sent his employees to Salem State University, Salem MA. He insisted that we go out to see the world. Unfortunately he passed away 3 months after we left China in 2011. Gratitude to him for the rest of my life.
2004-2008: Bachelor’s Degree in English in Xi’an International Studies University, Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Every morning at 5-7am, we would spread around campus and read out loud from English textbooks or practice speaking with radios such as VOA and BBC. This was the foundation of future life and career.
1986-2004: Grew up and attended school in Beijing, China. Mom sold tickets on busses then did accounting for Beijing Public Transportation. Dad worked in a factory, then helped install telephone systems in big coops and hotels. Life was very simple. Now they are all retired, both living in Beijing. Well, mom travels everywhere. Her next destination may be somewhere out of the earth.
1986-2004: Grew up and attended school in Beijing, China. Mom sold tickets on busses then did accounting for Beijing Public Transportation. Dad worked in a factory, then helped install telephone systems in big coops and hotels. Life was very simple. Now they are all retired, both living in Beijing. Well, mom travels everywhere. Her next destination may be somewhere out of the earth.
