HISTORY & CREDITS

Leopold Holder studied at a music conservatory in Europe. Later he studied at New York University, Manhattan School of Music and eventually at North Bennett St Industrial School in Boston. Upon his return to NYC he was certified as expert piano technician by Baldwin Piano Co. He served as a piano technician and instructor at Third St. Music School Settlement. In 1979 he was hired to appraise a very special Steinway grand piano for auction sale at Sotheby's. The piano eventually sold for $390,000, the highest priced instrument ever sold at an auction. He became Vice President of NYC Chapter Piano Technicians Guild and in 1983 he became the President of the organization. In 1985 he opened a 12,000 sq ft space at 121 West 19th St in Chelsea section of Manhattan and ran a successful, high quality piano restoration shop. in 1993 he became an accredited member of Appraisers Association of America. He is presently an active member of both, Appraisers Association of America and Piano Technicians Guild. In 1993 he completed NYU seminar " Professional and Legal Liability for Appraisers".  Since then he lectured on piano appraisals and actively appraised pianos for many well known institutions and individuals. Over the years he was interviewed by major TV and Cable networks, as well as newspapers and magazines. He recentl completed a 15 hour USPAP ( Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, the Congressionally recognized set of appraisal standards promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation. The last USPAP was completed 1/8/24, valid til 1/8/26.