Ed Tomlinson, RPT
OWNER/Piano technician
ed@californiakeyboards.com
The owner of California Keyboards, Ed Tomlinson, has been a professional piano technician for over 30 years and is a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) certified by the Piano Technicians Guild. Ed apprenticed under Bill Garlick, head of Steinway’s technical department for over 17 years and head of the prestigious North Bennet Street School of Piano Technology. He is also a graduate of Yamaha’s Little Red Schoolhouse, an elite invitation only piano technician seminar, has attended classes on regulating, voicing and concert prep by Steinway, Bosendorfer, Kawai, Renner, and other major manufacturers, and attends or teaches at several national and regional conventions within the music industry and Piano Technicians Guild. As Kern County's leading piano technician and official tuner for the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Ed has tuned for artists including Sir Elton John, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks, just to name a few, and services pianos for many churches, schools, and individuals throughout the area.
Chris Richards
BUSINESS MANAGER
chris@californiakeyboards.com
Our Business Manager, Chris Richards, is multi-instrumentalist who has played both woodwind and brass instruments professionally. Chris was a member of the U.S. Air Force’s 3706 BMTS Drum & Bugle Corps in 1991 and is a 2004 graduate of the University of La Verne with a BA in Business Administration. He is a Yamaha Certified Sales Professional for band & orchestra instruments and has been a guest lecturer on several occasions at Cal State Bakersfield in woodwind pedagogy. His background also includes experience in band instrument repair having apprenticed under Harry Hanson, owner of Thee Music Stores in Oregon and Washington.
Daniel Tomlinson
Store Manager
daniel@californiakeyboards.com
Daniel Tomlinson has been on staff at California Keyboards since 2017 and stepped into the role of Store Manager in 2020. He has been a professional drummer and music teacher since 2004, and is experienced with drum servicing and repair. Daniel has apprenticed under Ed Tomlinson as a piano technician since 2017 and he is an associate member of the Piano Technician's Guild, Los Angeles Chapter. His passions in life include following Christ and spending time with his wife Connie and his sons Thomas and Peter.
Gustavo Villegas
SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE
gus@californiakeyboards.com
Gustavo has been with California Keyboards since 2008 and has been playing music since 2004. He's the coach of a local high school drumline and is an avid Tennessee Titan fan.
Ivan Sanchez
SALES SPECIALIST
ivan@californiakeyboards.com
Ivan is another sales specialist who is always willing to help with anything music-related. He's getting to be pretty good with a guitar, so ask him to show off his skills. Se habla Espanol.
Jessica Andes
REPAIR SPECIALIST
jessica@californiakeyboards.com
Jessica has been with the store for more than thirteen years. She's a flute player and has been playing since she was eight years old. Jessica enjoys painting and loves all other forms of art. Stop by the repair shop if you need any assistance!
Tim Laity
REPAIR SPECIALIST
tim@californiakeyboards.com
Tim is our repair expert when it comes to string instruments. Whether you need strings replaced or a new bridge for your violin, viola, or cello, look no further than Tim. (He’s also a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, though we don’t hold that against him)
Ray Ho
REPAIR SPECIALIST
Ray is excellent at his craft and knows how to get an instrument repaired. You can trust him to make your musical instrument sound good as new again! He's also taking saxophone lessons here at the store.
Shirley Ramos
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
shirley@californiakeyboards.com
Shirley handles our finances and keeps us going. If you have any billing-related questions, just give her a call! Needless to say, she's a wonderful asset to our team.
Eric Ramos
PIANO MOVER