Women in the Music Industry
Jane Smisor Bastien together with her husband. James Bastien., wrote the best-selling method-book, Bastien Piano Methods, enjoyed by millions of students and teachers worldwide. The series of books, all published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, are now translated into more than 16 languages....
Denisa Hanna took guitar lessons with jazz great Johnny Smith before working with him at his musical instrument store in Colorado Springs, CO. While working in the store she met and fell in love with jazz drummer, Jake Hanna. When the couple moved to Los Angeles, Denisa expanded her interest as a...
Marie Jensen was born in Rosebud, Texas as the daughter of a Texas Ranger. She graduated college in Houston with a business degree before meeting Al Jensen on a blind date. The two were married in 1954 and had their only child, a daughter, in 1959. While raising her family, she helped Al in the...
Marybeth Peters has worked in the United States copyright office for 40 years and has become one of the country’s leading authorities on the copyright laws as it relates to published and performed music. Our interview with her included information regarding her career as well as a wonderful review...
Nina Rockley has been a strong force in the success of Rockley Music in Denver, Colorado. Soon after marrying the store's president, Robert, she brought her business knowledge to music retail and soon helped expand and grow the store’s sheet music department. With great attention to detail, Nina...
Veronika Gruber was musically trained as a child but did not think of a career in music until she met her husband, Hans, in college. He was a jazz fan who found it difficult to find music for his band, so he began distributing American publications in Germany. In 1978, the Advanced Music Company...
Josephine Nadolny only had one job, working for Selmer Band Instruments. When she retired in 2000 she had worked there for 58 years! Over that time she developed the first instrument parts catalog, which included drawings and specs for each and every part a repair shop might need. She later became...
Joy Collins had a very successful career selling pianos and organs! In fact she may very well be the person who sold the most Allen Organs ever. Joy was hired by Glenn Davis, who owned a piano and organ store in Chicago, originally as a secretary but soon discovered selling was in her blood. She...
Virginia Waring began her musical career as a concert pianist. In fact, it was while performing a duet piano performance on the Fred Waring Radio Program that she first met her future husband. Fred Waring had a remarkable music career that covered radio, television, recordings, and music publishing...
Dinah Gretsch is Vice President to her husband Fred’s presidency of the Gretsch Company. Her role in the company has been very significant due to her knowledge of licensing and other contract agreements, which has been a large part of the company’s growth over the past decade. Dinah and Fred have...