Eric Rigler’s lifelong connection to the bagpipes began when he was just 18 months old, sitting on his mother’s lap at a parade. Mesmerized by the sound of the pipe and drum band passing ...
Kyshona grew up in South Carolina, immersed in the rich musical tapestry of gospel, rhythm & blues, and roots music. Her early passion for sound led her to the guitar and a formal stu...
NAMM's Museum of Making Music offers musical ensembles designed for adults seeking entry into playing instruments in a group setting. These programs are perfect for those new to music-mak...
Peter Schaaphok’s journey with drums began as a child in Hayward, California, where he quickly formed his first band, originally called Black Dawn, now known as Mystic Rage, which he stil...
Jimmy Risdal found himself in Grass Valley, California, where he crossed paths with Mary Ellen Sorci, the owner of Foggy Mountain Music. With a background in construction, Jimmy quickly n...
Mary Ellen Sorci was destined for a life filled with music, growing up in a household where her parents’ love for the craft set the tone. Her mother, a skilled violinist, and her father, ...
Mike Snyder grew up in Maryland, where his love for drums developed during his teenage years. Spending countless hours at Chuck Levin’s Washington Music, Mike developed a deep connection ...
Creed Maggiora fondly recalls the pivotal moment when his father, Skip, asked him to play drums for the inaugural performance of the Stairway to Stardom program in 1981. This annual event...
Doug Hake was one of countless kids whose life was forever changed after watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. From that moment, Doug knew he wanted to pl...
Dom Di Sisto made a humorous observation years after opening his music store, Holden Hills Music, near Adelaide, Australia: most of his instructors were the same bandmates he had rocked o...
Cary Nasatir grew up in Chicago, surrounded by rhythm and the beat of his father’s drums, often visiting the iconic Frank’s Drum Shop. It was inevitable that young Cary would develop a lo...
Dorothy Morrison loves sharing her musical journey, one deeply rooted in faith and family. Raised in Oakland, California, her father, a pastor, and her mother, a missionary, nurtured Doro...
Jeff Peterson was born on the Island of Maui. He grew up on a ranch on the slopes of the Haleakala volcano where he was introduced to the rich heritage of Hawaiian music and guitar by his...
George Kahumoku Jr. lives on Maui with his wife Nancy, maintaining their 3-acre farm, growing fruit and vegetables, dry-land taro (for his famous home-made poi) and tending goats, chicken...
Bill Smith’s journey into recording engineering began at 16 when his home tapes sparked a relentless curiosity for the craft. After cutting his teeth at various New York studios, a key op...
Ellis Sorkin’s early exposure to music came through his family’s connection to Herb Alpert, but his own curiosity and drive launched his career. At 14, watching a recording session fueled...
Steve Genewick's journey into sound engineering was sparked by his childhood fascination with music and a desire to be part of the band without being on stage. His path led him to Cheroke...
Tommy Vicari’s career is a testament to the power of collaboration and passion for music. Prince's label, Warner Brothers, entrusted Tommy with producing the 17 year old's debut album, a ...
Allison Hargis was teaching middle school in the Poway Unified District when a student’s mother approached Allison about an opening for a band director in nearby Carlsbad. Allison learned...
Rocky Smolin was surrounded by music as a kid and gravitated toward the guitar during the Folk boom of the 1960s. As his career in software development grew, music was set aside for a whi...
Lloyd Gonzalez may not have picked up an instrument as a child, but his love for music, especially the soulful sound of the saxophone, has been with him for as long as he can remember. Dr...
Sharon Muyco’s mother purchased a piano for her when she was a child, and she played for many years. With an interest in singing, Sharon studied voice at the American Conservatory in Chic...
Friedbert Wissmann pursued studies in information technology at the Technical University of Dresden and composition at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden earning dipl...
Janet Rose’s musical journey has been as varied as it is compelling. She first explored the violin as a young child, but the saxophone quickly caught her heart in school, inspiring her to...
Harry Peacock’s stepfather was a professional jazz musician in San Diego who encouraged Harry and his brother to learn an instrument. For two years his stepfather became Harry’s first mus...
Colleen Foster grew up in a musical family with her father often playing the organ and piano. She played throughout school in the bands on clarinet and flute. She put playing music aside ...
Endre Granat prolonged the legacy of his former teacher and friend by writing The Heifetz Scale Book. The method book, published by Lauren Keiser, put down what Maestro Jascha Heifetz nev...
