Music Publishing
Andrew Surmani was always interested in both music and business. His parents owned their own business and even in high school while in the band, Andrew took care of the books for the band. A friend later told him about an opening at Alfred Music in Van Nuys, California. One of his first jobs was...
Gayle Kowalchyk loves teaching piano! She studied piano in college, taught at the university level, and then established a piano studio in her home with her husband, E. L. Lancaster. Together, they taught and eventually began writing piano teaching materials. Morty Manus, president of Alfred...
Patrick Wilson grew up in a very musical family. His father played piano in his own tenor band that his mother sang in and his sisters also played and sang. Patrick recalls the first instrument he picked up and played at age 6: the triangle. All throughout high school he played percussion in band...
Anthony J. Cirone, the percussionist, author, composer and educator, stresses the importance of creating a strong work ethic to his students in hopes that it will prove an invaluable trait no matter the career. He notes that as an educator, it is vital to not only develop your students as...
Lane Zastrow was playing professionally and even teaching music as a teenager. His main instrument, the accordion! After years on the road, Lane made his way into the print world. In 1967, Lane joined Sight & Sound, which was owned by Zeb Billings. He later worked for the famed Chicago...
David Hall is the sales and marketing Vice President for Pro Active Websites, a company founded by Bill Walzak. David’s passion for his job is evident in the smile and handshake you receive at every trade show. That passion started as a student player with hopes of becoming a band director. He...
J. Aaron Brown headed up Word Publishing in Nashville between 1970 and 1980. Before that time he had worked with several musicals acts, including the Oak Ridge Boys. As a songwriter himself, Aaron added his personal knowledge and passion for music to all of the projects he was involved with over...
Ray Stevens loves to tell the stories about how some of his hit records came about such as "Everything Is Beautiful" and "The Streak." Equally interesting are the stories of how he came up playing in school bands and how his passion for music grew and developed over the years. Ray recorded many...
Patricia Maultra was the first employee hired by Learning Unlimited by its three founders, which included Keith Mardak. Keith went on to become Chairman of Hal Leonard Publishing and all throughout the early days, Patricia was there. She began working for Zeb Billings in his retail store in 1960...
Jerry Keyawa loves to tell stories about the many amazing customers who have shopped at the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood, California. He and his two brothers run the store that his step-father, Bob Yeager, opened in 1959. The team provides a deep knowledge of everything in the store and...