Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Don Mitchell exudes music. He sings in a trio, plays numerous instruments and teaches music. When Mitchell teaches how to tune, repair and service pianos he said, “I love seeing a beginner grow from being immature and uncertain to a person who is confident with improving self-esteem.” Although he doesn’t teach anyone to play the piano, they receive some music instruction in order to learn to tune and repair a piano.
Name: Don Mitchell
Job/employer: Director of instruction at the School of Piano Technology for the Blind.
Age: 65.
About: Don Mitchell was born with a rare disorder called microphthalmia in which one or both eyes are abnormally small. The disorder develops during pregnancy and as a result, he has been totally blind since birth.
How I got into this profession: I attended the Oregon School for the Blind in Salem, Ore., from 1954 to 1966. After I graduated from high school, I studied music at Lane College in Eugene, Ore., for a couple of years. I moved to Vancouver and was a student at the then-Emil Fries Piano Hospital and Training Center. I studied there for two years to be a technician. In July 1973, I was hired as a piano technician to tune, repair and service pianos in Clark County. I did that for about eight years.
Then a teacher at the piano school died, and I was asked to take over his music classes. I started teaching part-time as well as working as a technician at the school.
In 1989, the piano school wanted to get accredited. In order to get the certification, they had to have a director of instruction. I became that person. Until then, nothing had been written down so my job was to write curriculum for the school. I did it with the help of Ken Serviss, school director at the time.
I don’t teach anyone to play the piano, but we do teach classes about music such as the history and background of music and the theory of sound — all to help students learn to tune and repair a piano.
Most rewarding part of job: I begin with a student who is immature, uncertain and lacks confidence, and expose them to something that is complicated and hard. They find out they can do it well. I find the most rewarding part of my job is when I get to see their confidence grow and their self-esteem increase.
Most challenging part of job: It is challenging to evaluate a student, to find out if they have the capability to do this work. I am confident that most people could tune a piano, but there are a small number who cannot. I believe what limits a person is their personal belief. They don’t try to do things, maybe because someone told them, as a blind person, they wouldn’t be able to do it. Then they are unwilling to try.
Personal/business philosophy: I like to identify a problem or obstacle and solve it.
Something you would like to do over: I wish I had known I was going to be a teacher and I would have focused on getting more training as a teacher. I have picked up some classes at Clark College but I don’t have a degree.
Residence: The Heights.
Best feature of my Vancouver/Clark County community: I like the music culture. Because we are so close to Portland there are many music activities. People play music for fun, and there are many places to perform.
What would make your community a better place: The city bus system could be better supported.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: IrishTown Public House.
Hobbies: I really love music. I play guitar, the five-string banjo, mandolin, the bass, and of course, the piano. I also sing, am an amateur radio operator and love meteorology.
Volunteer activities: I volunteer at the School for the Blind, helping the kids with talent shows, speech club and reading theater.
Favorite travel destination: I love the South Pacific and would like to go to Tahiti or a small South Pacific island.
Most interesting book in last 12 months: I read a lot, using audio books and Braille. I like Mary Stewart’s King Arthur series and books by Stephen King.
Most interesting play/movie/arts event: My favorite of all time is the “Wizard of Oz.” When I was a youngster I was first a munchkin and later I played the Scarecrow. I have read all the books.
One thing you want to do this year: I want to start singing with a bluegrass group.
Something you want to do within five years: I want to retire and learn to play the slide trombone.
One word to describe yourself: Happy.
Person you’d most like to meet: Sara Watkins, singer-songwriter and fiddler, with Nickel Creek.
