Repair Technicians' Profile

Profile: Sean Tan

Sean graduated from the Band Instrument Repair Technology program in Renton Technical College (Renton, WA, USA) and is currently a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technician  (NAPBIRT). He is a Straubinger^TM Pads certified Technician (October 2004, Bremen), and has been trained and certified both as a Verne Q.Powell Flutes Technician (June 2006, Boston) as well as a Buffet Crampon Clarinets Technician (November 2006, Paris)

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering (honours) from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), with a Design Specialisation major. Upon graduation, he worked as an Automotive Design Engineer, before embarking on an instrument repair career. 

Blessed with a creative mind and natural mechanical aptitude, Sean approaches instrument repair with creativity and with the insights of a designer.

Sean plays a variety of clarinets at The Philharmonic Winds. His regular B-flat clarinet set up includes a Buffet RC clarinet (with Straubinger Pads), Guy Chadash Barrel, Festival Bell, Gregory Smith 1+ or Ralph Morgan RM-15 mouthpiece, AW 301 french-cut 3.5 reed and a Rovner Eddie Daniels II Ligature. 

To better fit the keys to his hand, Sean extended all the keys/levels for the left pinky finger, fabricated an left hand auxiliary Eb/Ab lever and added a right hand G# trill key to his instrument. See modification pictures

During his free time, Sean engages in some graphical and web design. He travels extensive to experience different cultures around the world.

Profile: Yap Yoke Lim

Yoke Lim graduated from the Band Instrument Repair Technology program in Renton Technical College (Renton, Washington State, USA) and is currently a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technician  (NAPBIRT).

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering (honours) from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore). His previous experience as a Project Engineer in the field of Material Technology, enhances his work as a repair technician. 

With a solid foundation in tooling and machining, as well as excellent manual dexterity, Yoke Lim  fabricates his own tools and a variety of parts to facilitate instrument repair.

Yoke Lim plays the French Horn in The Philharmonic Winds. His horn set up includes a Hans Hoyer-4802 professional double horn, with a Halstead-Paxman-Chidell mouthpiece. 

To improve the ergonomics of his horn, Yoke Lim repositioned the finger hook to a comfortable position on the instrument, self-fabricate a leather hand grip, and added key extensions using coins.

Yoke Lim enjoys cooking and cycling during his leisure time. He whips up a really delicious meal. An avid listener of classical music, he was once a classical CD procurer at the Tower Records.