Success Stories

What People are Saying...

"Without any reservation, I would highly recommend the services of Esther Warkov at The Piano Connection for buying a piano. Esther was recommended to me and I am forever indebted to that recommendation. I gave her my background, then flew to Portland, where she lined up several different brands for me to try that were appropriate for my needs (many of which I had never played before). Needless to say, if it hadn't been for her help, I would never have had such a wide breadth of exposure to the upper-end American and European grands available today. And when it finally came time to make my pick, she was professional in her role as 'soundboard' to my questions and concerns.

"The result - a perfect piano for me. I am completely thrilled with my new piano. And, the entire experience was made exceptional because of Esther. I recommend getting in touch with Esther before contacting/visiting piano stores. I cannot thank her enough."

--Gail Watson-Fulsaas, Kalispell, MT

"Our family is in love with the beautiful restored Sohmer grand we recently purchased with the help of The Piano Connection. I was discouraged when visiting piano stores since the fine pianos I liked were always far too expensive. Esther introduced me to affordable fine pianos on the private market. These instruments were hand-picked and consigned by The Piano Connection, so their condition was known--unlike many instruments for sale on the Internet. Because The Piano Connection's overhead is low, the pianos are significantly less expensive.

"Esther arranged a personal tour of several great pianos that were in my price range. The whole process was fun. Esther's background, knowledge, and support were incredibly helpful. She took the time to get to know me and to understand my family's needs and expectations. She found us the perfect piano.

"I would recommend The Piano Connection to anyone seeking a piano. If one of my kids steals the Sohmer, I will definitely shop with Esther again."

--Dr. Dean Walker, Lake Oswego, OR

"We've been looking to purchase an upright piano for our family for some time and have gone to several piano stores over the years. Unfortunately, we didn't feel we had enough information to make a good decision about the right piano for us; it was difficult to trust someone at a piano store because we couldn't be sure that they just wanted to make a sale. We won Esther's piano consulting services through our children's annual school auction and she helped us immediately by asking us detailed questions about what we wanted in a piano. She spent a good deal of time going to local piano stores and testing different uprights and was able to find the right piano for us at the best price. This was a time-consuming process for Esther, but she remained highly enthusiastic with us the entire time.

"We highly recommend Esther's services to anyone in the market for a piano at whatever price range. She is extremely knowledgeable about pianos and has a great ear for sound. We never felt rushed and we always felt that Esther was looking out for us. When we're ready to upgrade to the next piano, we'll certainly be calling Esther!"

--Jenny & Domingo Garcia, Portland, OR

"We didn't know anything about buying a piano, and ended up buying a lemon for our first piano. When it came time to trade up, we relied on Esther's service. It was so helpful to shop with an expert, especially when making such a major purchase. Now we have a great investment in an instrument that will stay in the family for years."

--Debbie and Nit, Bothell, WA

"Esther provided excellent guidance during our search for a grand piano. It was comforting to have a true expert in our corner. We love our Mason & Hamlin BB, and so does everyone who plays it."

--Steve, Attorney, Portland, OR

"Esther's service was invaluable in selling our 7-foot Steinway. Her connections and ability to market our piano brought us a higher price than we expected. We also appreciated Esther's professionalism and integrity in this process."

--Pat Ashby, Seattle, WA

"As a lover of fine art, I purchased a Steinway that was a complete joy to be admired in every aspect. Several years later a move prevented me from keeping it. My big dilemma was finding a good home for it, and that is where Esther came into the picture. Her expertise and knowledge proved very valuable for me, and I so appreciate the professional manner in which she works. I highly recommend Esther to anyone in the market for a piano, whether buying or selling."

--Dawna Patten, Vancouver, WA

Consignment Successes

A Portland, OR, music teacher had one too many pianos, so she consigned her 1997 Baldwin L to The Piano Connection. The Baldwin was then placed in the home of a Kirkland, WA music teacher for resale. Next, a music teacher from central Washington--already familiar with The Piano Connection--sent a graduating senior to our service. The Piano Connection arranged for the family to visit several pianos and they selected the Baldwin at a great savings!
A retired Hollywood scriptwriter lacked the space to keep her cherished rebuilt Sohmer grand. Friends told her about The Piano Connection and the piano was hosted in a Seattle historical mansion. An Oregon physician toured The Piano Connection consignments in Seattle and selected the Sohmer for his Lake Oswego home. The Sohmer beautifully met the family's needs--a superior piano for a fraction of the cost of a new instrument.
A filmmaker in Oregon City was searching for a Petrof grand piano but was discouraged by their prohibitive retail cost. The Piano Connection located a Petrof on the private market and was able to resell it for a fraction of the dealer's price.
A Seattle family was ready to find a new home for their Kawai grand purchased new in the 1970s. They had heard of The Piano Connection from a friend who sold her Steinway B through this service. The lovely Kawai matched with a family who understood the value of purchasing a solidly-built older piano for half the cost of a new instrument!
The owner of a Steinway B in Portland was having difficulty selling his prized instrument. The Piano Connection moved the piano to a Seattle mansion where it sold almost immediately. The Steinway B is now the centerpiece of the studio jazz series at the Seattle Drum School.
A Bellingham, WA family tried unsuccessfully for 6 months to sell their restored art case Steinway before consigning it with The Piano Connection. Within two weeks The Piano Connection matched the instrument with a family looking for just this type of piano. The buyers now own the piano of their dreams.
A Kirkland mathematician was suddenly called away to San Francisco. He entrusted his Steinway grand to The Piano Connection. The piano found a new home with an internationally known Anacortes family who wished to avoid buying from a piano store.
A family in Seattle was downsizing and wanted to find the right home for their seven-foot Steinway B. To everyone’s delight, The Piano Connection matched the piano with the University Lutheran Church.
Wanting to downsize, a family in Seattle wished to sell their Boston grand, but didn’t want the public passing through their home. Thanks to The Piano Connection's network, they sold their piano to a Bothell family whose daughter studies both piano and violin. The piano is now a treasured addition to the new family’s monthly house concerts.
A Seattle yoga teacher decided it was time to sell her Fandrich vertical piano. Through its network of music teachers, The Piano Connection matched this lovely instrument to an adult student who was thrilled by the piano and the price.
An artist living in Ireland inherited a rare Grotrian-Steinweg concert grand located in Washington State. She learned about The Piano Connection from a Seattle piano teacher and family friend. The entire consignment process was successfully negotiated over the Internet.
A Vancouver, WA owner of a Steinway L--facing the many challenges of downsizing--was unable to find a buyer before her house went on the market. Dissatisfied by dealer offers, she contacted The Piano Connection. Together, we strategized and found the optimal solution.

"Esther Warkov's Piano Connection hooked me up with people who understood my special needs and desires as a pianist: I got a great deal, and was treated with great respect and dignity. I would recommend to anyone looking for their dream piano to contact Esther at The Piano Connection and see what she can do for them. Esther knows the business, knows about pianos, and respects the buyer."

-- Jessica Williams, pianist and composer

"I am a professional musician who has been dreaming of having my own Steinway since about the age of 6. Esther helped me to realize that dream recently when I purchased my Steinway M from her. I would highly recommend doing business with Esther and look forward to a continued professional relationship with her."

-- Maureen Girard, President, South Whidbey (Washington) Association of Jazz Educators

"I recommend Esther to anyone I know who is in the market for a piano. She is extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. She provides a truly unique and invaluable service."

-- Ericka Thielke, member of Seattle Music Teachers Association and owner of a Mason and Hamlin grand purchased through The Piano Connection

Sohmer grand piano consigned to The Piano Connection is now the centerpiece of the Walker home in Lake Oswego, OR. Dr. Walker writes, "Our family is in love with the beautiful restored Sohmer grand we recently purchased with the help of The Piano Connection."

Elissa and Emmie shown with their newly-acquired Kawai on moving day. Their mother writes, "Emmie is playing the new piano now! They both were thrilled with piano and I loved seeing their smiles. Thanks again!"

"We were interested in a piano for our daughter. But because we aren't musicians, we had no idea about pianos. As we shopped at piano stores, we wanted an opinion besides the salesperson's. We asked Esther many questions about the pianos we saw, and with her help we bought a great upright piano at the best price."

--The Luo Family, Lake Forest Park, WA