OH Taxonomy
Bernice Pelmear began working in the Selmer factory in Elkhart, Indiana in 1973. She was trained by veteran co-workers, a tradition she carried on as a trainer years later. Her work focused on assembling oboes and bassoons and continued on after the merge with Conn.
Martins Saulespurens and Skipper Wise formed Blue Microphones in 1995 and set off to change the way people thought of and heard microphones. Their impressive line of innovative products with clever names and unusual styles, addressed issues studios and even large venues were having regarding...
Walther Veerkamp was the son of the founder of Casa Veerkamp, one of the most respected and oldest music retailers in Mexico. His father, who was born in Germany, opened a small music retail store in Mexico City in 1908. He struggled to provide instruments for the store even while exporting...
Elaine Taylor began working on the bench at Selmer in Elkhart in 1975, where she covered cases. Over the years she has worked in the cork and padding department for saxophones, also in the instrument cleaning department, in the office and then as a supervisor in the instrument accessory...
Jens Kruger is one of the world’s most technically accomplished 5-string banjo players who have worked with the Deering Banjo Company to create a more sophisticated instrument; one that could holds its own in a classical music concert. Jens has played the banjo is many settings and finds the...
Joe Calzone grew up playing drums. His passion for the instrument lead to his involvement with several bands and memorial concert performances before having the idea of creating his own style of road cases. He spoke to many fellow musicians and designed a line of products that became standard in...
Mark Goff was ready to work for a musical instrument manufacturer after college when he was told that he needed retail experience. Impressed with the idea and eager to learn all he could he applied to work at Paige’s Music in Indiana. Mark enjoyed working with the owner, past NAMM Chairman Warner...
Arturo Sandoval is the Cuba born jazz trumpeter best known for the 2000 film “For Love of Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story” in which Andy Garcia portrayed Arturo. Over the years he has performed with most of the top names in jazz and began composing music as well as playing the piano. In 2007 he...
Dale Miller was just 27 when he decided to open a music store. The year was 1974 and it was the first of many firsts for the passionate guitarist who enjoyed working with others to bring music into the lives of those who came into his store. While the store did not last, Dale’s drive and love of...
Spider Wilson began recording with Little Jimmy Dickens in 1947 and over the years backed nearly every performer at the Grand Ole Opry as a house band guitarist from the late 1950s until 2006. Spider was a sought-after studio musician playing guitar on recordings by country, rock and bluegrass...