Video by Jefferson Morriss

After 20 years in the fine woodworking business, an ankle injury made it impossible for Bruce Vredevoogd to stand all day – and it inspired a career change.

Putting his woodworking tools and skills aside, Vredevoogd picked up a tuning fork and tuning hammer and began an 18-month apprenticeship studying the art of piano tuning. He spent numerous hours in the piano shop doing minor adjustments, repairs and even major disassembly and rebuilding.

Vredevoogd is now a registered piano technician and again uses some of his woodworking experience, but this time for his professional piano services business. He named the business Winter Creek PianoWorks, after the creek that runs through his 15-acre farm off of Kelly Road.

The business includes complete piano services for Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties, including tuning, voicing, maintenance, careful shop repairs such as key balancing, restringing and action rebuilding. Vredevoogd also has piano rentals.

For more information, visit www.wintercreekpianoworks.com or call (360) 592-1106.