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Coach House Pianos, one of the world’s leading piano specialists, has opened a new headquarters in Swansea, UK to coincide with its 40th anniversary.

The purpose-built facility is now the UK’s most advanced centre for piano preparation, selection and education, designed to serve musicians and educators across the globe.

Coach House Pianos new Swansea showroom

From its beginnings in 1985, the family-run company has grown from its South Wales roots into an internationally recognised name, serving clients on every continent and attracting pianists and musicians from every musical genre, and the world’s leading teachers and educators. This new headquarters represents the next step in a journey defined by craftsmanship, innovation and service.

Managing Director Sam Rusling commented: “This advanced, cutting-edge facility ensures we continue to set the global standard of excellence in the piano industry, while delivering the same unmatched service and quality our clients have experienced for the past 40 years.”

At the heart of the new centre is a collection of rare and historic pianos curated by founder Nick Rusling, including instruments once owned by royalty, legendary musicians and political figures.

The site also houses a piano technician training workshop, a recital venue, a digital piano experience hub, private selection suites and a pioneering studio for self-playing piano systems.

Head of Sales Dan Rusling reflects on the milestone: “This is especially meaningful as we celebrate having sold pianos to every continent. From installing an art case grand on the 10th floor of a Nigerian apartment block to adapting a piano for Bermuda’s subtropical climate, extraordinary detail and care goes into every delivery.”

Renowned pianist and historian Gary Branch added: “It’s been incredible to witness a South Wales-born business grow into one of the world’s most prestigious piano retailers, with its stunning London showroom and this new world-class restoration facility in Swansea.”

Grand Opening and 40th Anniversary Celebration

The official Grand Opening and 40th Anniversary Celebrations will take place on Thursday 30th October 2025 at 1pm. Guests will be welcomed to:

· Compare five of the world’s finest concert grand pianos side by side, including Steinway & Sons Model D, Bösendorfer 280VC, Yamaha CFX and Kawai SKEX

· Hear a keynote address from a distinguished guest speaker

· Enjoy a short recital by Tiffany Tiantian

· Take private tours of the showrooms, workshops and historic collection

· Join a celebratory lunch with leading figures from the music world

Members of the press, music professionals, piano lovers and industry partners are invited to attend this landmark event, celebrating 40 years of Coach House Pianos’ global contribution to music.

The Grand Opening and 40th Anniversary Celebrations will take place at Coach House Pianos HQ, Imperial Court, Felin Fach, Fforest-fach, Swansea SA5 4HF

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A visit to Coach House Pianos’ London Showroom

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Last Saturday I hosted a one-day masterclass in the sumptuous surroundings of Coach House Piano’s London showroom. The tutor was Dr Michael Low, a pianist and teacher based in South Africa, with whom I have been friends for over 10 years, and who is a regular contributor to this site.

The event was open to advanced amateur pianists (5 performers in all) and one of the nice things about it was that most of the participants knew one another through the London Piano Meetup Group (which I co-founded in 2013 and which is still going strong). We had a couple of observers as well, and David, who looks after the education programme at Coach House, had very kindly arranged their event space so that people could sit around the piano (a lovely Bosendorfer 225) which made for a friendly and supportive atmosphere from the outset.

The word ‘Masterclass’ still has rather negative connotations, suggesting the “private lesson in public”, with a formidable “master” teacher and a trembling student, their every error and slip heard and duly noted by teacher and audience. In fact, the format, if done right, is one of the most beneficial ways of learning, providing as it does not just a lesson with a skilled teacher but also a forum for critique by others, and the exchange of ideas and discussion about aspects such as technique, interpretation, presentation, performance practice, repertoire and more. It is this element of interaction with other pianists and active participants/listeners that makes the masterclass scenario quite different from the private lesson, and with Michael Low, a relaxed, enthusiatic and, above all, skilled teacher, our event on Saturday was informative, insightful and friendly.

Repertoire played

Debussy – Les Collines d’Anacapri, La cathédrale engloutie; Beethoven – Bagatelles op126; Beach – Ballad in D-flat; Schubert – Sonata in B-flat, D960, 1st movt

Michael Low wrote after the event: “Thank you so much for all your hard work in making Saturday’s event such a success. When my international work came to an abrupt halt in 2020 never did I envisage that I would be able to see my family again, let alone give a masterclass in London. To say that I am grateful beyond words would be an understatement. And to the performers, Sakura, Jenny, Cathy, Howard and Lee: thank you so much for sharing your music with us. I was most impressed with your musical commitment as well as your openness to an alternative musical perspective. Thank you also for all your kind feedback. I hope to stay in touch with all of you and look forward to hear you play again, hopefully in the near future.”

And some feedback from participants:

“Thank you Michael for giving us such great tips, anecdotes and musical inspiration! And thanks also to Coach House Pianos for hosting us – and providing a top notch Bösendorfer to play!” (Jenny)

“Perfect day. Michael is insightful and gives a perfect mix of feedback on both interpretation and help with technique.” (Howard)

All being well, we will present another similar event at Coach House Pianos next time Michael is in the UK.

Dr Michael Low’s website

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Saturday 1 June 2024, 10am-4.45pm, Coach House Pianos SW6 4SQ

SPECIAL OFFER FOR READERS OF THIS SITE – DISCOUNTED OBSERVER PLACES

A one-day masterclass for advanced adult amateur pianists (Grade 8+) with pianist and pedagogue Dr Michael Low, hosted by Frances Wilson (The Cross-Eyed Pianist) at the sumptuous London showroom of Coach House Pianos. There is much to be gained from observing at a masterclass, including insights into technical and interpretative issues, practicing and performance, in addition to the opportunity to hear a variety of repertoire, including music by Schubert and Debussy.

Observer tickets £10 for the full day (save £5) – click on the image to book or scan the QR code to book


Book now

The event will be friendly, supportive and inspiring, and a great opportunity to observe top class teaching in friendly setting, plus the chance to meet other pianists. There will be plenty of time for discussion, Q&As, and relaxed ‘piano chat’ too.

Coach House Pianos is located at 79-91 New Kings Rd, London SW6 4SQ (nearest stations: Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green & Imperial Wharf). Please arrive promptly. Michael and Frances will be at the front entrance of the showroom to greet you.

Frances Wilson
Dr Michael Low

Praised for his innovative approach and passionate insight into piano playing, Dr Michael Low’s teaching career in Asia and Africa has spanned almost a quarter of a century. As a student, Michael studied piano with Richard Frostick (the current director of the BBC World Voice Programme) before enrolling as a member of London’s prestigious Centre For Young Musician where he studied piano with the international pedagogue Graham Fitch. He obtained his Honours at Surrey University under the tutelage of Clive Williamson before completing his Masters of Music whilst studying with Nils Franke and Niel Immelman. An International Scholarship brought Michael to Cape Town where he completed his Doctorate under the supervision of South African greatest living composer, Hendrik Hofmeyr. Michael has also worked with numerous eminent teachers and pianists including, Nina Svetlanova, Frank Heneghan, James Gibb, Phillip Fowke, Renna Kellaway, Carolina Oltsmann, Florian Uhlig, Gordon Fergus Thompson, Francois du Toit and Helena van Heerden.

Frances Wilson is an advanced amateur pianist and writer under the pen-name The Cross-Eyed Pianist. Established in 2010, The Cross-Eyed Pianist blog has become “an important voice in the piano world” (Peter Donohoe, international concert pianist) and enjoys a wide global readership with c25,000 visitors to the site per month. The Cross-Eyed Pianist is now one of the UK’s leading blogs on classical music, with a special focus on pianists and the piano.

Frances is an advanced amateur pianist who returned to the piano after a gap of some 25 years, achieving Licentiate and Associate Diplomas (both with Distinction) in Piano Performance in her late 40s. She has studied with a number of acclaimed teachers, including Penelope Roskell and Graham Fitch, and participated in masterclasses, workshops and courses with, amongst others, Stephen Savage, Murray McLachlan and Charlotte Tomlinson.

A passionate advocate of amateur pianism, Fran co-founded the London Piano Meetup Group in 2013, which, 10 years, remains hugely popular with adult pianists of all abilities.

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MOZART & MORE….

Saturday 1 June 2024, 10am-4.45pm

PERFORMER PLACES NOW SOLD OUT – PLENTY OF OBSERVER PLACES!

A one-day masterclass for advanced adult amateur pianists (Grade 8+) with pianist and pedagogue Dr Michael Low, hosted by Frances Wilson (The Cross-Eyed Pianist) at the sumptuous London showroom of Coach House Pianos

Observer tickets £15 for a full day

Book now

The event will be friendly, supportive and inspiring, and a great opportunity to enjoy top class teaching in friendly setting, plus the chance to meet other pianists. There will be plenty of time for discussion, Q&As, and relaxed ‘piano chat’.

Praised for his innovative approach and passionate insight into piano playing, Dr Michael Low’s teaching career in Asia and Africa has spanned almost a quarter of a century. As a student, Michael studied piano with Richard Frostick (the current director of the BBC World Voice Programme) before enrolling as a member of London’s prestigious Centre For Young Musician where he studied piano with the international pedagogue Graham Fitch. He obtained his Honours at Surrey University under the tutelage of Clive Williamson before completing his Masters of Music whilst studying with Nils Franke and Niel Immelman. An International Scholarship brought Michael to Cape Town where he completed his Doctorate under the supervision of South African greatest living composer, Hendrik Hofmeyr. Michael has also worked with numerous eminent teachers and pianists including, Nina Svetlanova, Frank Heneghan, James Gibb, Phillip Fowke, Renna Kellaway, Carolina Oltsmann, Florian Uhlig, Gordon Fergus Thompson, Francois du Toit and Helena van Heerden.

Frances Wilson is an advanced amateur pianist and writer under the pen-name The Cross-Eyed Pianist. Established in 2010, The Cross-Eyed Pianist blog has become “an important voice in the piano world” (Peter Donohoe, international concert pianist) and enjoys a wide global readership with c25,000 visitors to the site per month. The Cross-Eyed Pianist is now one of the UK’s leading blogs on classical music, with a special focus on pianists and the piano.

Frances is an advanced amateur pianist who returned to the piano after a gap of some 25 years, achieving Licentiate and Associate Diplomas (both with Distinction) in Piano Performance in her late 40s. She has studied with a number of acclaimed teachers, including Penelope Roskell and Graham Fitch, and participated in masterclasses, workshops and courses with, amongst others, Stephen Savage, Murray McLachlan and Charlotte Tomlinson.

A passionate advocate of amateur pianism, Fran co-founded the London Piano Meetup Group in 2013, which, 10 years, remains hugely popular with adult pianists of all abilities.