Gil Ellman

Gil Ellman grew up in the big band era, loving the sounds of large orchestras. He was motivated to create as many opportunities for students to make music as possible. He studied band instrument repair before opening Ellman’s Music Center in 1958. Soon after the store opened Gil began creating his own brand of instruments including bongos. In 1963 the store moved to Naperville, Illinois, where space was created for lesson programs. Gil and his wife Joan, who provided music lessons at the store for many years, were both present at the NAMM Show in 2008 when they were awarded the Milestone plaque for 50 years in business.