Meet Our People

David Farkas Sales Manager

David Farkas, Greene Music’s sales manager, with 25 years of experience in sales and customer service, has found his true calling in the world of pianos and music-making! He works incredibly hard behind the scenes, helping out our clients, working closely with teachers, solving problems, and setting up special events such as concerts and music workshops. David knows his pianos, and just as importantly, knows how to treat people with professional courtesy and respect. His customers tell us that they feel comfortable with him right away, and he sincerely wants to answer their questions and give helpful advice rather than pressure them for a quick sale. David is an enthusiastic golfer and karaoke singer, and plays a mean blues riff on the piano. If you’re thinking of dining out, ask David for a tip – he and his wife just may have sampled almost every restaurant in San Diego! Contact David

Ken Schoenwetter Sales

Suburban dad, cycling enthusiast, and passionate music-lover Ken Schoenwetter will celebrate 10 years with Greene Music in November 2010. Ken truly loves selling pianos, and has enjoyed working in the music business for over 25 years. Sometimes his colleagues and customers call him “The Professor” or “The Encyclopedia” of pianos. Ken has received factory training at Steinway & Sons in New York and Yamaha Corp. in Japan, and routinely makes successful presentations to engineers, scientists, physicians, attorneys, CEO’s, money managers, and other professionals who want useful information rather than a sales pitch. A lifelong piano enthusiast since age 7, Ken currently studies jazz piano with Jay Jay Lim, teaches private lessons himself, and plays cocktail music for private parties, charity and corporate events all over San Diego. Ken has a reputation for treating his customers with a professional but personal touch, based on respect for their needs and a mutual love of music. Bring a favorite song to request, and see if you can stump him! You can hear examples of Ken’s playing here.  Ken’s teaching page here.   Contact Ken

Noel Carlsen Sales

Noel Carlsen has been involved with music for most of his entire life. After studying both the violin and the piano as a youngster, Noel realized he loved music, and that he wanted to be in music as a career. Fast forward to college, when Noel graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree, with Honors. After graduation, Noel performed violin, and taught violin and piano, and also conducted two orchestras. A little later, Noel became involved in the music business, learning to sell pianos and organs. Because of his passion for music, selling musical instruments has always come easy for him. Because of his gentle style and his passionate love for music, people are drawn to purchase pianos from Noel. Noel shares his great knowledge about keyboards for his church. Noel is married to his beautiful wife Angela, and they have six children and five grandchildren, with more on the way, grandchildren that is! Contact Noel

Valerie Batt Concert & Artist Services and Institutional Sales

Valerie is not only a Renaissance woman outside the office, with degrees in theater set design and archeology, but she’s muti-talented as a representative of Greene Music, as well! She works closely with San Diego arts and cultural venues like Mainly Mozart and the La Jolla Music Society, helping them select the best pianos for their events, along with providing pianos for private functions like parties, weddings, charity events, etc. Valerie has one of the best jobs in the company, arranging pianos for artists as diverse as Lang Lang and Tony Bennett, at venues from Copley Hall to the House of Blues. In addition, as Greene Music’s institutional sales expert, Valerie is dedicated to replacing every worn-out old piano in every school, church, and university in San Diego with a brand new Steinway or Yamaha. Contact Valerie

Martin Figueroa Service Manager

Martin has had over 30 years of experience in piano moving and 5 years of experience in polyester repair and Steinway refinishing. He has expanded and improved his skills by continually attending workshops and seminars. He has been professionally trained in Steinway refinishing, polyester repair, and has attended the Mohawk Finishing School.

Russell Berkley Registered Piano Technician

Russell gained interest in the mechanical aspects of the piano and keyboard at a young age.  Russell is a Registered Piano Technician and has been trained by Yamaha and Steinway & Sons. He is also an active member of the Piano Technician’s Guild. For the past 10 years, Russell has owned his own business servicing pianos all across San Diego (www.berkleypiano.com). He specializes in piano tuning, repair, restoration, rebuilding, refinishing and cd player piano system installation. Some of his most notable clients include Better Midler, Ben Folds, David Benoit, Giovanni, Norah Jones and the Vienna Philharmonic. Contact Russell

Sabra Berkley Registered Piano Technician

While growing up, Sabra watched her father, well known technician and rebuilder Russell Berkley work on pianos. After spending time in his shop together, she quickly developed a passion for pianos and began helping out with cleaning and tearing down pianos that were ready to be rebuilt. After high school, Sabra moved to Illinois to pursue her passion in music and went on to complete training at The Chicago School of Piano Technology. Sabra is now a Registered Piano Technician and continues to strive for success in her father’s footsteps. Please visit www.berkleypianos.com to contact Sabra.

Mike Greene Jr. Lead Road Technician

Mike Greene, Jr. is a third generation music industry specialist. As the son of owner Michael Greene, Mike Jr. spent his school vacations at Greene Music having the good fortune to learn all of the different facets of the music business, from riding along on the delivery truck to taking lessons at the Yamaha School. Mike has a strong background and expertise in mechanical training; he spent two years in Phoenix becoming certified in repair. After returning to San Diego, Mike used this training and his affinity for the music business while studying under many different piano technicians. Mike fine-tuned his technical skills by graduating from Yamaha’s Little Red School House. He is Steinway & Sons factory trained, a factory-trained Yamaha Disklavier technician, a trained PianoDisc technician and installation specialist, and a qualified Dampp-Chaser and Piano Saver System installation technician. Mike continues to advance his knowledge through ongoing classes and training programs. He is an active member of the Piano Technician’s Guild, serving as the Treasurer of the San Diego County Chapter. Mike is Greene Music’s lead road technician for in-home service, tuning, repair, and regulation. In addition to in-home tunings for private clients, Mike also services commercial clients including the Hotel Del Coronado, Ronald McDonald House, UCSD Thornton Hospital, the La Jolla Grand, the La Jolla Hyatt, and numerous others. Mike serves all of San Diego County, including Borego Springs and El Centro, servicing all major brands, makes and models.Contact Mike

Mihee Lee Registered Piano Technician

Mihee is Greene Music’s in-store and commercial onsite piano technician. She received her Masters in Piano Performance from California State University-Northridge. Mihee began as an apprentice in Detroit at a rebuilding shop and has since received factory training by Steinway & Sons. Aside from in-store service, Mihee is UCSD’s technician for all their new Steinway pianos. She specializes in tuning, regulating, voicing, rebuilding, and dampp-chaser installation. Mihee is a member of the Piano Technician’s Guild and currently serves as the San Diego Chapter’s President. Contact Mihee

Bud Fisher Registered Piano Technician

Bud’s family has been a part of Greene Music for 24 years. He is the proud owner of Bud Fisher Professional Piano Service and is best known for his experience and work in concert preparation. Some of his clients include the San Diego Symphony, Mainly Mozart, California Center for the Arts, USD and the La Jolla Music Society. He has been factory trained by Yamaha’s Little Red School House and in New York at the Steinway & Sons factory. Musical talent has been a part of Bud’s family for generations. Jazz legend Sarah Vaughan was married to Bud’s father Marshall during the 1970s; upon graduating high school Bud had the distinct honor of working for Miss Vaughn on the road. From January ’76 – February ’78, Bud worked as a driver and stagehand. He toured America several times and in the summer of ’76, he did a European tour with Miss Vaughan. Needless to say this had a profound influence on Bud and certainly put him on the path to a life devoted to music.

Philip ‘Jay Jay’ Lim School Manager and Teacher

Jay Jay has been with Greene music for over ten years. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S., received his B.M. in Music Therapy from the Berklee College of Music, and graduated with a M.M. in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. In addition to teaching at the Greene Music Education Center, he teaches Piano I and Intro to Music at Grossmont College and is also the music director for Park Hill United Methodist Church. As a music therapist, Jay Jay has facilitated music therapy groups at various residential and assisted living centers throughout San Diego County. You can find Jay Jay performing as a jazz pianist all around San Diego. Contact Jay Jay