Sheila Hunter, Harpsichord & Clavichord Technician

Tuning at the Stevens Center for the Winston-Salem Symphony

Sheila has retired from piano tuning and service. For piano tuning and service, go to PTG.org to find a Registered Piano Technician in your area. If you are interested in her woodcarvings, go to the menu above to navigate to her woodcarving page.

For harpsichord and clavichord tuning, service and restoration, email Sheila at tunehunter@aol.com. In the subject line of your email, please write "Harpsichord tuning" (or whatever your repair/tuning request is) so that your email won't get sent to spam. I usually respond within 3 days, so if you haven't heard back from me within that time period, try again! No technology is 100% reliable.

Hunter Piano Service was owned by Sheila Hunter. For over 30 years, she was a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Sheila was also a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild, as well as a trained harpsichord and clavichord technician. She provided piano tuning services in the Winston-Salem, NC area from 1991-2020 to private customers, organizations and institutions, including the Winston-Salem Symphony, UNCSA, Salem College and Winston-Salem State University. She has also had the honor of tuning for such notable musicians as Orion Weiss, Conrad Tao, Wynton Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick, Three Mo' Tenors, Diane Schuur, Roy Haynes Quartet, Terrence Wilson, Take 6, Antonio Hart Quintet, Slide Hampton Quartet, Ricky Skaggs, Barbara Lister-Sink, Mahan Esfahani (harpsichordist) and Music Carolina.

In July 2020, Sheila retired from piano service. She does continue to service historical keyboard instruments such as forte pianos, harpsichords and clavichords owned by private individuals, churches and colleges, including Wake Forest University and High Point University. For the academic year of 2022-2023, she was the interim contract harpsichord technician for UNCSA.

Services and Products

Since 2010, Hunter Harpsichord & Clavichord Service has provided tuning and repairs for many types of harpsichords, clavichords and forte pianos. She has experience in working on both historical and revival harpsichords and clavichords. She keeps about 26 sizes and types of music wire in stock, as well as damper felt and 7 different thicknesses of plectra so that she is able to do many types of common repairs on the spot.

Additionally, she does some repairs and restoration of hammered dulcimers, Appalachian dulcimers and bowed psalteries. Please inquire if you have an instrument that needs restringing and/or some repair.

Fees: A service call for a harpsichord, clavichord or forte piano usually starts at $175, which includes tuning and minimal repairs. NC sales tax is added to the total. Smaller single manual instruments usually start at $150, depending on their condition.

Piano Teachers in Winston-Salem, NC

Are you looking for a piano teacher for yourself or for your child in the Winston-Salem area? Please contact Sheila for recommendations for a teacher in your area.

Other Music Teachers

If you are interested in learning to play other musical instruments, please contact Sheila. She will help you find the best teacher for you or your child.

If you are interested in hammered dulcimer or Appalachian dulcimer lessons, ukulele, bowed psaltery or guitar lessons, please contact Sheila Hunter at tunehunter@aol.com. She is currently taking beginning students in the Winston-Salem area. Sheila also does some minor hammered dulcimer repairs and restringing of any of the above-mentioned instruments, should you need to get your instrument in good condition before starting lessons. For more details regarding hammered dulcimer lessons, go to the upper left hand side of this page and click on "Hammered Dulcimer lessons in NC." Contact her for details if you are interested in learning the hammered dulcimer, ukulele, guitar or bowed psaltery. Sheila also offers online lessons via FaceTime or Zoom for those who would like to learn a new instrument without having to leave your home. All you need is an iPad or laptop/desktop computer, and the ability to FaceTime or Zoom the lessons. A smartphone can also be used, but the screen may be too small for some students.

Spurtles and cream cheese spreaders made by Sheila from antique Sitka spruce piano soundboards.

For details on how to purchase, please click on the menu at the top.

NEW in 2019! Sheila is now repurposing/recycling/upcycling antique spruce piano soundboards. Some items are for sale. See link at top of this page on the left entitled “Repurposed Piano Soundboards.”

NEW in 2021! Stay tuned for new wood carved utensils, as Sheila expands her carved designs for the kitchen, including chip bag clips, bottle openers, and wine bottle stoppers.

NEW in 2024! Sheila's woodcarvings are now being sold at Mothership Studios located at 239 W. Acadia Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Come by and check them out!

How To Contact Hunter Harpsichord & Clavichord Service

E-MAIL: tunehunter@aol.com. (Write "harpsichord (or clavichord, etc.) tuning" in the subject line.) Include in your email your instrument's brand name and model, how long it's been since it was last tuned, where you live and your phone number(s), please. You may also include your best days of the week and times of day for a tuning appointment. Email is the best method for contacting Sheila to schedule an appointment. Emails sent on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, may not be read until the week following.

Recommended Reading for Piano Enthusiasts

The Piano Book, by Larry Fine (reference)

Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand, by James Barron (narrative)

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, by Thad Carhart (memoir)

The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason (novel)

A Romance on Three Legs, by Katie Hefner (Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano)

Recommended Reading for Harpsichord and Clavichord Enthusiasts

Harpsichord in America by Larry Palmer

Three Centuries of Harpsichord Making by Frank Hubbard

The Modern Harpsichord by Wolfgang Zuckermann

A Guide to the Harpsichord by Ann Bond

Playing the Harpsichord by Howard Schott

The Harpsichord Owner’s Guide by Edward Kottick