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Wilton Woman Brings World-Class Talent To New Piano Showroom

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- When Faust Harrison Pianos on Black Rock Turnpike began its soft opening last month, Fairfield didn’t just gain a storefront for a classic instrument.

Erica vanderLinde Feidner plays a Yamaha hybrid piano - a rare performance in her opinion.

Erica vanderLinde Feidner plays a Yamaha hybrid piano - a rare performance in her opinion.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Erica vanderLinde Feidner in the showroom

Erica vanderLinde Feidner in the showroom

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

“This is a gift of arts to the County of Fairfield from the Faust family,” sales manager Erica vanderLinde Feidner said. “This is not just a showroom. It’s a treasure for the Town of Fairfield.”

And while 86 new, used and restored pianos line the floors of the two-story showcase, the true treasure might be vanderLinde Feidner herself.

As the former No. 1 salesperson in the world for Steinway & Sons Pianos, vanderLinde Feider left the world renowned piano manufacturer in 2005 to go into business for herself.

Coming from her home in Vermont - where her mother and father founded the famous Sonatina School of Piano - she grew up in a house with 26 pianos and a family of pianists.

For 19 years, beginning with group lessons at age 3 and earning professional notoriety as early as age 11, vanderLinde Feider was a prodigy in her own right.

Luckily, she said, at 22 she broke her hand, effectively ending her professional playing career, which she admittedly did not love.

“Growing up in my house, playing piano was a given, and I was good,” the Wilton resident said. “It’s just that no one ever stopped to ask me if I liked it.”

Her professional career had ended, and vanderLinde Feider had chosen not to continue playing the instrument - even in her own home. But one thing did not change: her love for the instrument itself, and the joy that music can bring to homes and families.

Her 2005 business, which she still runs today, is pianomatchmaker.com. VanderLinde Feider said she came to Fairfield and to work for Faust Harrison because they have given her the tools she needs to do what she loves: bring people and music together.

“I’m around pianos at Faust Harrison that are inspiring me now,” she said.

The showroom, the site of the former Fry’s Westport and Fairfield Piano and Organ, was completely gutted and refinished with vanderLinde Feidner’s vision in mind.

It has new hardwood floors, a renewed listening room, Legos for children and coffee for parents because vanderLinde Feidner knows the showroom is “a family place.” Pianos line the floors -- ranging from keyboards to 9-foot-long Yamaha concert pianos. A floor above the entrance lies an arrangement of pianos that she calls “the circle of love.” And, most of all, there is room to grow and room for culture.

“I want to do group lessons, book signings and art galleries,” vanderLinde Feidner said. “I just want people to walk in the door and then the whole world changes.”

Faust Harrison Pianos is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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