Music Retail
Gina Bergmann was introduced to music at a young age, and attended a music school while growing up in Chicago, Illinois. When a Sam Ash music store opened up in her neighborhood, Gina got a job, which was her introduction to the music industry. She went on to work for both Mars Music and Guitar...
Ray van Straten began his love of music when his parents bought him a kids piano when he was four years old. He went on to study classical piano performance, as well as jazz arranging with Manny Albam, a highlight of his music education. Ray has memories of playing in rock bands throughout his...
Michael Mullens grew up in his father’s New England music store. He caught the music bug early and to the surprise of even his father, Michael also became a knowledgeable salesman while he was still a kid. Understanding the products and the needs of the store’s customers seemed to come natural to...
Kevin Prosser took over the piano and organ store his parents established in the mid-1980s. His brother later came into the business, which had several locations throughout Washington State. In the late 1990s, Kevin opened a store in Palm Springs and ran it for several years. During that same time...
Joan Gand followed her drummer to a gig while still in high school. There, he introduced her to a guitarist from another school who eventually became her future husband, Gary Gand. Together they formed a very successful music store in Highland Park, Illinois that focused on the innovative...
Matt Milldebrandt feels privileged to play a pivotal role in bringing a child their first musical instrument. Matt had desires to become a band director in his youth and found his long career at Milano Music to be just as satisfying in terms of his role in encouraging music within the lives of...
Jim Minch purchased his first musical instrument at Milano Music having no idea as a child that he would spend his entire career with the store. The Mesa, Arizona based company, which was formed in 1946, had seven locations at one point throughout the state. Jim specialized in the guitar and amp...
Joan White began her career with Muncie Music Center in 1944, just three years after the store opened. She remained with the store until her retirement in 2016. Although she started by organizing the sheet music department, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) assisted with all areas of the business. One of...
Jeff Shrieve was playing drums in a rock band during the 1960s when he was offered a job at Muncie Music Center. Jeff was hired in 1968 and became one of the store's three road reps calling on local school band directors. Jeff was taught band instrument repair in the early part of his career and...
Dave Helms is the owner of Muncie Music Center. He joined the store right out of high school and had the opportunity to purchase the business in the early 2000s. By 2012, Dave was underway in designing a new building for the store, which is complete with teaching studios, a band repair shop, as...