A FAMILY BUSINESS
Rod Verhnjak, Karl’s son grew up around the piano shop, he was 5 years old when his father started Verhnjak pianos. At age 12 Rod was doing many tasks around the shop, at 14 under the direction of his father, Rod rebuilt his first piano. Throughout High School Rod worked in the piano shop weekends and summers learning the piano trade. In 1989 Rod Graduated from high school and joined the family business. Rod has been a member of the Piano Technicians Guild since 1991 and has attended over 25 conventions, where he has taught and taken classes. Rod was put in charge of the rebuilding shop in 1995 while Karl was on the road tuning and servicing pianos. Most of Rod’s training came from hands on experience and direction from his father who was a:
- Registered member of the Piano Technicians Guild Inc. (23 yrs).
- Past exclusive tuner for Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (10 Yrs).
- Past advisor to University of British Columbia (2 Yrs).
- Past Chief Technician for Tom Lee Music (13 Yrs).
- Past Technician for Vancouver Royal Conservatory of Music (8 Yrs).
- Past Technician for Kwantlen University College (11Yrs).
- Past Technician for Langley Community Music School (10 Yrs).
Karl Verhnjak passed away August 9, 2003 leaving Rod and his wife Meranda to continue the family business.
THIRD GENERATION
Brandon Verhnjak like his father grew up around the shop. At an early age Brandon took to working with his hands and loved to work with wood. After graduating from high school in 2018 Brandon joined the family business and now works full time in the shop. Isaac Verhnjak, Rods youngest son graduated in 2023 and has been learning to tune and service pianos. His plan is to be a piano technician taking care of pianos in homes and venues. He will also be part time in the shop.
Rod is happy and proud to see the boys join in. Karl would have felt the same.
