For this week’s Hot Seat, the Out N About sat down with the talented piano tuner and technician, Debbie van de Kolk, who has perfected many pianos here in St. Maarten.
1: How would you describe your job and what can you tell us about it?
I am a certified piano technician/tuner from the Netherlands with 21 years of experience. I ensure that your acoustic piano is tuned to the correct pitch and that your piano action is properly repaired and/or adjusted so that it can function properly.
2: How did you start as a piano tuner and technician and what attracted you to this specific role?
During my study in furniture restoration in the Netherlands, I did an internship at Andriessen Piano’s in Haarlem, where they specialize in restoring pianos and grand pianos, especially from before the war. This seemed like a nice combination to me because I play the piano myself.
During my internship, I mainly restored the outside of the pianos and grand pianos – the so-called cabinet work. During this period, my interest in the mechanics department within this company grew. After obtaining my furniture maker’s diploma with a specialization in furniture restoration, I started the piano technician study and successfully completed it in 2004. My then internship supervisor at the Andriessen company, Mr. Frank Bonarius, was so enthusiastic that he offered me a paid internship in the mechanics department during my training, so that I could start working within the company as a piano tuner/technician with furniture restoration skills after my studies.
3: What is your favourite St. Martin song or Caribbean classic? Do you have a favourite music genre?
The St. Martin anthem does something to me; I secretly think it is much more beautiful than the Dutch anthem. I don’t have a favourite music genre – it really depends on my mood. This can be soca, salsa, zouk, pop, jazz, blues, country, or classical music.
4: Where were you born and what attracted you to Sint Maarten?
I was born in the Netherlands. In 2016, together with my partner Serge Artsen – who has his roots here on the island – I took on the challenge to move to Sint Maarten and join the family. We both love the island life. In Sint Maarten, the sun shines every day, the sea is blue, you always hear music coming from somewhere, you see people looking at each other and stopping in the middle of the road to say hello to one another. There is too much to mention, but the nature is special, including the pelicans, monkeys, iguanas – you can’t explain so easily. It’s island life!!!!! I don’t just like it; I love it!
5: What do you like most about being musically gifted and being able to repair and adjust pianos down to the last detail?
There is something magical about being able to bring an old piano or grand piano that is not working back to life. When you hear a good pianist playing and transferring his or her soul to the audience through a good instrument, it is great. Music connects people and it is beautiful to be a part of that.
6: Have you tuned the pianos of celebrities or famous people?
I never aspired to become a concert tuner. It is very stressful. I like to stay in close contact with my customers. The somewhat older customers are often waiting for you and are happy to see you, so I always plan for some extra time to listen to their old stories of the past and wise life lessons before I start. I like the personal atmosphere and connection at the customer’s home.
7: Was this holiday period busy with festivals and such for you?
I took the holiday period off and mainly spent a lot of time with my family.
8: Do you tune pianos on mega yachts?
Earlier this year, I was allowed to tune a Steinway grand piano on a yacht. That was cool. This is not yet done structurally, but what is not can still come.
9: Have you had a chance to you work with any concerts on the island?
Last year, I was able to contribute to the Classical Delight concert in the Belair Community Center where, among others, our local musicians Elaine Walters and La-Vaune Henry participated. This was an amazing experience.
Also, in December 2024, the benefit concert of Dionne Warwick in Royale Casino was my last concert that I worked on in collaboration with Le Piano Noir and eight strong men. This was a mission impossible we completed. We were asked two days before the concert to get a grand piano on stage. This is actually not possible in such a short time because you have to prepare for this. Well, we set a transport record and took all the risks, because when you don’t take risks in life, nothing happens. God bless the universe which was with us to make this concert a success.
10: What can we expect from you in 2025?
My goal in 2025 is to bring the acoustic piano back to life on Sint Maarten and perhaps on the surrounding islands. To achieve this, it is important that people know that I live on the island. I hope this interview will contribute to that.
11: What advice would you give your younger self, or anyone who needs a little extra encouragement to pursue their creative dreams?
For all the girls and women who have ambitions in the technical field, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something because you’re a woman and your ambition is seen as a “man’s” profession.
12: In closing, do you have any favourite quotation(s) you find meaningful?
“You can, if you think you can.” Also, “Don’t be afraid of being different. It will make you special.”
