Flutes
David Straubinger started a small business in 1969 to repair and rebuild woodwind instruments. He determined early on that one area of consistent concern was they way flute pads were replaced and the design of the pads. Over time he designed his own products, including the Straubinger Flute Pad and...
Mari Mach spent nearly 40 years in the music industry in and around Elkhart, Indiana. She began her career in the sales department working for C. G. Conn for four years before being offered a job at the Gemeinhardt Flute Company. While at Gemeinhardt, she worked with Danny Henkin, who was then the...
Tony Spano began repairing instruments in high school and was perfect for the job as a retail store repairmen, which he started doing in Ohio after the army in 1957. He later worked with CG Conn and then with Gemeinhart, both in Elkhart, Indiana. His focus in much of his work has centered around...
Chieko Nakamura is the CEO for Jujiya Musical Instrument Company in Ginza, Tokyo. The harp and flute retailer is also known by the shorter name Ginza Jujiya. The company was established in 1874 by her great grandfather. The company's early focus was on reed organs and in fact they produced their...
Joe Cook began working in the music products industry with Selmer in 1966 with a focus on the saxophone products. He joined the Gemeinhart Flute Company in 1986 and remained with the famed Elkhart, Indiana firm until the time of his mini interview in 2011. While working with the Selmer Company,...
Tom Lacy began working for Armstrong flutes right out of high school in 1971 in the very plant he is working some 40 years later for the Conn-Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Along the way, Tom built his own flutes for several years before joining UMI and later Conn-Selmer. During his long...
Steve Lynn began working with his brother in 1974, finishing flutes for the Gemeinhart Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Three years later he joined the Armstrong Company as an experienced finisher. He worked with legendary flute maker Emerson DeFord for a few years before joining Gemeinhart again and...
DeAnne Gordy began working in the music industry with Gemeinhardt in 1989. The world famous flute and piccolo maker, located in Elkhart Indiana, was established in 1948. Over the years the company perfected the craft of handmade instruments and today, even with the use of some computerized...
Tony Whitt began his career in the industry with the Linton oboe company in Elkhart, Indianan. He later began working for Gemeinhart, which has been where he has been for most of his 52 plus years in the industry. At the time of his mini interview, Tony was working in finishing and final assembly...
Kent Stutzman was hired by Gemeinhart in the 1970s and has remained with the flute builder for over 35 years! During his career, Kent has worked in several positions on the line as well as in buffing and final assembly. Among the things he is most proud of is the craftsmanship of his job and the...