Band and Orchestra
Jon Dawkes talked about the long-term vision of music education promotion at Dawkes Music during his NAMM Oral History interview. With help from brother David, Jon puts great effort in to creating musicians within the local schools. One of Dawkes Music’s first promotional steps began with a...
Frank Pampenella is the owner and president of PM Music Center in Aurora, IL and has worked in the music industry for over 30 years. He founded PM Music Center in 1982, when he transitioned his successful wedding consulting agency, and lesson studio into a full-service music center specializing in...
David Dawkes is proud of his family's connection with the music industry. It was his grandfather who formed Dawkes Music. After losing hearing in one ear from playing in a band, his grandfather took to repairing instruments in his garage. This is where their family business began. From simple...
Cris Behrens began working with Summerhays Music Center at the age of 19. He earned a degree in band instrument repair from Red Wing Technical College and spent his first five years at Summerhays repairing instruments. After catching the sales bug, Cris attended Utah Valley State College for...
Greg Weast owned and operated Columbia River Music, a retail store in downtown The Dalles, out in Wasco County, Oregon. The location, 410 E 2nd Street, had its own musical history, having housed a series of music stores since the 1930s, including Cook Music, Fulton Music, Raben’s Records and Roth...
Garth Gilman finished his MBA and through a mutual friend met Tom Sumner who provided a tour of the Yamaha offices in Buena Park. Tom, who at the time was the General Manager of the Pro Audio/Combo Division, recognized Garth’s passion for music and interest in business. The two discussed the...
Ryan West shared many of his memories of traveling abroad with his father, Steve, to understand and appreciate how the business great and diversified including their early distribution of Miyazawa Flutes.. West Music has always been innovative as a music retailer, and their flute line is just one...
Sharon Dunckle runs the music retail store her son, Mike, established when he was just 12 years old. Mike's Music is located in Eagle River, outside of Anchorage, Alaska. Mike saw the need to open a store as he bought old instruments to repair with his dad and then resold to his friends. His...
Al Green is the store manager for the Music Man retail store in Anchorage, Alaska. Over his career Al has managed several stores including two in Washington State, however, none have compared to his experience in Alaska. Al was hired by the owner and son of the founder, Karl Pasch, whose father...
John Kagerer is known as the Horn Doctor up in Anchorage, Alaska. With a very interesting background that includes welding and watch repair, John combined his skills to become one of the sought-after band instrument repair technicians in the state. After attending the Allied School, its founder,...