Expert piano tuning, restoration, and service — bringing out the voice your instrument was meant to have. Every piano tells a story. Let's make sure yours sings.
Since founding Kinnear Piano Service in 1987 in Collingwood, Ontario, I've dedicated my career to the art and craft of piano care. What started as a childhood fascination — learning to tune from my dad on an old upright player piano — became a lifelong calling that has taken me into homes, concert halls, churches, and studios across the Georgian Triangle, the Muskoka region, and the Greater Toronto Area.
I believe every piano has a unique voice waiting to be heard. Whether it's a treasured family heirloom or a performer's concert instrument, I bring the same attention, patience, and ear to every service. From the shores of Georgian Bay to the lakes of Muskoka and the neighbourhoods of the GTA, I've built lasting relationships with piano owners who trust that their instrument is in skilled hands. Well-known throughout the region as a tuner and musician, I've played in blues, swing, country, and jazz bands across Ontario. My goal isn't just a well-tuned piano — it's the moment you sit down, play the first chord, and feel the difference.
Comprehensive piano care tailored to your instrument's needs and your musical aspirations.
Precise, reliable tuning that keeps every note singing true — whether you play daily or your piano graces a room with presence. We also provide professional appraisals for insurance purposes, with accurate documentation of your instrument's value. Our thorough cleaning service freshens up your piano's appearance and helps protect it for years to come.
From sticky keys and worn hammers to regulated actions, we bring pianos back to life. For full-scale work, we work with professional rebuilders, refinishers, and smoke restoration firms — trusted colleagues who honour the instrument's history while unlocking its potential.
Professional piano moving with the care your instrument deserves. From upright spinets to concert grands, we handle every move with the proper equipment and expertise. Pianos arrive safely and ready to be tuned after an appropriate 'settling in' period — we coordinate timing, protect finishes, and navigate tight spaces so the experience is smooth from start to finish.
The emotional bond between a person and their instrument is something we never take for granted.
"My grandmother played this piano every Sunday. When Jim restored it, I heard her again for the first time in twenty years. That first chord brought me to tears."
"As a working musician, my piano is my livelihood. Jim doesn't just tune it — he listens to how I play and voices it to match my touch. It's like having a partner who speaks the same language."
"We bought a neglected old Steinway at auction. Everyone said it was beyond saving. Jim saw something we couldn't. Six months later, it's the heart of our home."
Every piano we touch receives the same devotion — here are a few we've had the privilege to care for.
Nearly 40 years in the trade gives you a sense of humour about it.
Stories, tips, and reflections from nearly four decades behind the keys.
As Ontario thaws and humidity levels shift, your piano feels it too. Here's why the change of season is the perfect moment to bring your instrument back into balance — and what happens if you wait too long.
When this ornate Victorian upright arrived in my workshop, it hadn't been played in decades. Follow the journey of restoring its voice — from cracked soundboard to concert-ready tone.
From Ontario's wild humidity swings to moving pianos across cottage country — practical advice I've gathered from nearly 40 years of keeping pianos happy in our unique climate.
Whether your piano needs a routine tuning or a full restoration, the first step is a conversation. I'd love to hear about your instrument and how I can help it sing again.
Free consultation · No obligation · Fast response
Based in Nottawa, ON L0M 1P0 — serving the Georgian Triangle and beyond.