Music Education
Jerry Michelsen started playing the piano when he was four years old. His father worked for the Federal Aviation Agency, so Jerry moved many times during his childhood, but never stopped taking piano lessons. He went on to study classical piano at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee,...
Marilyn Shepard taught music in public schools for thirty-five years. Ever since she was young, she was involved in making music, along with her twin sister, as well as collecting instruments from different cultures. After she retired from teaching, the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music...
Larry McWilliams developed the jazz program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He joined the faculty in 1970 and soon organized a jazz band that turned into two and three and then seven or eight combos. Having played jazz as well as classical trumpet, Larry had a real clear...
Robert Gillespie was teaching at Ohio State University in the music department when he developed and hosted a summer workshop for violin teachers. In addition to his regular teaching, playing, and the yearly workshop, Dr. Gillespie co-wrote one of the most popular and regarded method books for the...
Vaughn Wiester recalls the day he played with the Woody Herman band for the first time. The famed leader called out a tune he knew and Larry was ready to jump right in. "They started playing all of these different notes, playing off each other and making such great music I was lost. I realized I...
Jim Swearingen began composing for his students. He soon realized his music was not only helping students learn to play, but was also encouraging them since the music was similar to popular music the students heard on the radio. Soon his work got the attention of Barnhouse Music, which has...
Emma Lou Diemer has written classical, choral, and even hymns based organ music during her long and successful career as a composer. Her music has been published by over 40 different music publishers over the years, including several that requested she write method books and beginner music, which...
Stephen Schmidt is a lover of music. His background in engineering, experiences with technology, and customer service lead him to his position as Vice President of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instrument Division. He, along with his team at Casio, have spent a lot of time working with organizations...
Vince Gill attended his first NAMM Show when he was nineteen years old and living in Los Angeles, California, back in 1977. Over the years, Vince has supported many music retailers and suppliers and has developed long lasting and meaningful relationships, which is why he is always excited to...
Petra Woodfull-Harris recalls taking lessons on the recorder at the age of six, followed by the piano three years later. She enjoyed the idea of improving her skills and of expressing herself through music, which is a driving force in her passion today. As the sales and marketing manager for...