Marco De Lellis learned the great and complex craft of piano restoration while working in several prestigious piano workshops in Rome. Prior to his extensive apprenticeship, he had devoted himself to both the visual and musical arts, including painting, sculpture, piano, violin, French horn, Gregorian chant and lyric tenor studies, and music theory and composition. Already the titled organist of the Basilica di S. Cecilia in Rome at the age of 16, Marco was also a member of the chorus at the National Academy of S. Cecilia and a pianist for numerous musical groups.

In Rome, Mr. De Lellis had the opportunity of learning the various techniques of piano restoration from old-school master craftsmen, including knowledge and use of the various materials involved in restoration work. These master craftsmen imparted to him the knowledge of traditional methods of wood-working, and old-world recipes for finishes. Alongside these craftsmen, Marco began practicing the art of piano tuning, as well as learning the function and regulation of every type of pianoforte.

During these years and in these workshops, Marco also learned the restoration techniques of harmonium (reed organ) and player piano. He supplemented and supported this practical study with the study of many texts on these subjects.

After many years of experience in these workshops, Marco opened his own very well-equipped restoration workshop in the center of Rome. Here he had the opportunity of working with antique instruments, including clavichords, forte-pianos and Viennese pianos. He even began learning the difficult art of replicating these instruments.

In 2001, Marco came to New York where he found fertile ground for his considerable skills and talent. He began by working in various important restoration facilities where he increased his knowledge by learning new methods of restoration as well as developing a network of contacts and suppliers, all while learning English.

Marco worked for a time in a restoration workshop specializing in Steinway & Sons pianos and learned many of the secrets of working with these instruments. It was in this workshop that he learned first-hand from former Steinway and non-Steinway technicians about the art of, and many schools of thought regarding a soundboard replacement for all types of pianos, including Steinway & Sons. As owner and founder of Piano Workshop Inc., Marco is capable of virtually any type of piano restoration, rebuilding, repair and refinishing. From soundboard, strings and pinblock replacement to the manufacture of new action parts and tuning pins for both modern and historical instruments, Piano Workshop is both a treasure and a resource for the musical instrument community.

Today, Piano Workshop also specializes in the rewinding of copper-wound bass strings and repair of cast-iron plates, and provides expert attention to all types of finishes, from modern spray-type finishes to old-world lacquer and French polish, all completed with a care and professionalism that invokes old-world traditions of strength and quality. Many of the secrets of these finishes and coloring agents have been passed down by several generations of craftsmen to Marco directly, and are not known to anyone nor available anywhere else.

Professional tuning, regulation and technical assistance are among the many services also available to the clients of Piano Workshop. In short, clients of Piano Workshop, which include museums, religious institutions, music schools, pianists, private individuals, collectors, and piano technicians are those who value a serious and scrupulous approach to restoration work.

Marco De Lellis, founder and owner of Piano Workshop, is a member of the PTG, AIARP and the EUROPIANO.