Cunningham Piano’s own Geza Mika shares his journey from woodworking to piano restoration in a 6ABC Action News feature with Tamala Edwards.
From Woodworking to Piano Restoration: Geza Mika Featured on 6ABC Action News
Philadelphia, PA — Cunningham Piano Company is proud to celebrate one of our talented piano technicians, Geza Mika, who was recently featured on 6ABC Action News in an interview with Tamala Edwards. The segment highlighted Geza’s remarkable journey from woodworking and furniture restoration to mastering the delicate art of piano rebuilding at Cunningham Piano’s Restoration Factory in Germantown.
A Lifelong Connection to Music
Geza’s love for the piano began when he was just eight years old. Gifted with a strong ear, he recalls how easily he could “hear things and reproduce them on the piano.” That early musical intuition set the stage for a lifelong relationship with craftsmanship and artistry.
After studying architecture in college, Geza pursued a career as a professional woodworker and custom furniture builder, even collaborating with Philadelphia museums to preserve fine works of art. Each of these experiences deepened his respect for structure, precision, and the beauty of restoration — skills that now serve him daily in his work at Cunningham Piano.
Craftsmanship at the Heart of Every Piano
Today, Geza is part of the expert team at Cunningham Piano’s historic Restoration Factory, where instruments are rebuilt from the ground up with meticulous care. As Geza explained in his 6ABC interview, “We only rebuild instruments here, and we take our time.”
Inside this “old-school kind of facility,” every detail matters — from bending piano wires so damper heads line up precisely, to ensuring the horizontal geometry of each string is just right. Some instruments take a month to complete, while others require even longer. “The goal,” Geza says, “is to bring that instrument to optimal performance. Hearing a piano come alive again makes it all worthwhile.”
Honoring 135 Years of Tradition
Cunningham Piano Company’s co-owner Rich Galassini noted during the segment, “My business partner Tim Oliver and I are the fourth set of owners in 135 years. We’ve been around since 1891.” That enduring legacy continues to thrive thanks to dedicated craftspeople like Geza, who carry forward Cunningham’s tradition of excellence in piano restoration and artistry.
Watch the 6ABC Feature
We’re honored that 6ABC Action News chose to spotlight Geza’s story — a beautiful reminder that at Cunningham Piano, every restored instrument carries not just new life, but the passion and craftsmanship of the people behind it.