Music Education / Music Teachers

Barb Schotanus learned the clarinet while in the Catholic Band Program as a young girl. She enjoyed the program so much that she earned her music education degree at DePaul University and became a Band Director. In 2003 she joined the Piano Trend Music Company team becoming a music teacher and the store manager. Among her responsibilities are scheduling and running the store’s lesson programs, which links her right back to the early days of her career, a process she greatly enjoys.

Denny Senseney is a passionate music retailer who began his career as a band director. When he formed Senseney Music in 1984, he sought to provide the service to band directors that he felt was missing when he was an educator. Over the years Denny has played a vital role within the industry serving on the NAMM Board, the NASMD Board and helping establish RPMDA. In addition to his service has been his commitment to music makers of all ages through support of educational programs at every level. 

Dr. George Shaw  has had a big impact on the lives and careers of thousands of young musicians. As a music educator and sought after musician, George always looked for opportunities to engage and inspire students. While teaching at Long Beach City College, George asked many of his jazz friends to come and sit in with the student bands. Can you image the impact on young musicians when they got to play with the likes of Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton and Milt Hinton! George’s own career is rooted in R&B and he played in a number of clubs while attending Wayne State University. Dur

Paul Shelden was a Professor Emeritus in Music for Brooklyn College and both studied and taught music at Juilliard, beginning on clarinet and saxophone, but branching into electronic music on which he focused his doctorate. While teaching, Paul was introduced to the idea of improving on the sound of band and orchestral instruments with design and engineering improvements. In 2004, with Amy Mao as his director of manufacturing in China, he formed Diplomatte International Musical Instrument Company. Over the years the company continued to expand its product line, gaining a larger au

Marilyn Shepard taught music in public schools for thirty-five years. Ever since she was young, she was involved in making music, along with her twin sister, as well as collecting instruments from different cultures. After she retired from teaching, the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music offered her a place to continue with her passion of education children about making music. To date she has given over 100 tours of the Museum of Making Music.

Brian Shepard is deeply entrenched in the rich history of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), offering insightful reflections during his NAMM Oral History interview. He eloquently delved into the organization's origins, dating back to its formation by music publishing luminary Theodore Presser in 1876. Brian highlighted key programs and milestones throughout MTNA's evolution, drawing upon his intimate connection with the association since assuming the role of Director of Marketing in 2003. Brian's unwavering dedication to music and music educators shines through in his

Bobby Shew’s cool jazz trumpet style helped revolutionize jazz in the 1960s through a series of successful recordings and world tours. During those years he developed several ideas that would lead to the design of his own trumpet. He felt that these improvements and adjustments would make it easier for the musician to achieve their desired sounds in a more consistent manner. Yamaha produced the trumpet and Bobby hand checked and set up each and every instrument before it was sent out to the stores and musicians. His important role as educator and clinician brought him to the NAMM

Hisatake Shibuya took great pride in developing music education opportunities for students wishing to bring music into their lives. By forming music schools in Japan and later opening the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, Hisatake-san has created a model for extended musical education programs. The schools are funded largely by his ESP Guitar Company, which was formed in 1975, and provides instruments and gear around the world. 

Barbara Siler is the Assistant Director of Bands at Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools, a small but growing school system. She teaches grades six through twelve. At the beginning of her career, she served as a long-term substitute teacher. Here, she talks about the interview process for music educators in her district.

Thomas Siwe served as president of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) in the early days of the organization. In fact, while serving on the board he took part in the expansion of the PAS chapters into Canada. He also played a vital role in the beginning stages of the PAS museum. As an educator and percussionist, Thomas formed Media Press publications and wrote his own unique method books for drum teachers as well as other works.  

Jim Slutz served as the Professor of Music Business at Indiana State University before his retirement in 2004. Former NAMM President Mr. F.D. "Bud" Streep from Orlando was the first person to make Jim aware of the need for college trained music business graduates. Mr. Streep and Jim worked together to develop the first program of study in music business at Florida Southern College in 1973, along with Mr. Merrill Jones, owner of Wingert-Jones Music of Kansas City. As a result of their efforts, the NAMM Affiliated Music Business Institutions (NAMBI) was created.

Leland Smith was the renowned founder of computerized musical notation. He came to symbolize the technological changes in print music beginning in the 1960s. His work as a professor and educator has resulted in a method for computers to read and process musical notes. The field of computer science has grown to embrace and enhance musical creation through Leland’s work. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on October 14, 2006. 

Todd Smith is the Band Director at River Trails Middle School in Mount Prospect, Illinois. He began teaching 17 years ago in River Grove, Illinois and moved to RTMS 12 years ago to his current position. He says he became inspired to become a music educator because of his passion for music and his high school band director, who gave him many opportunities that helped him develop within the field. 

Lynda Smith started on the piano early in her life and was always fascinated by the instruments at her local record shop. Her love for classical music led her down the path of studying music education and music therapy. While teaching K-8 music classes and working at the same music store she grew up visiting, Lynda became one of the first Yamaha Music School teachers. After working music retail for 10 years, Lynda was offered a rep position at Technics. She regards this job being one of her favorites because of the great relationships that can be forged in the music industry betwe

Tim Smith grew up in a very musical family as his father and uncle both wrote and record music. In fact, his uncle, Arthur Smith, wrote two of the most famous instrumentals in modern country music (“Guitar Boogie” and “Dueling Banjos”). Young Tim was playing bass in his uncle's recording studio when he was just a mere 10 years old. Tim’s first instrument endorsement brought him to The NAMM Show when he was 16, playing in the Music Man booth! He became one of the most requested bassists in Nashville for several years beginning with his first session in the Music City in 1979, in wh

Greg Snyder has been the Director of Bands at Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio for 25 years. He talks here about some challenges that come with leading a music program and how to overcome them.

Kate Spates is a Co-Founder of The Academy of Musical Performance located in Indio, California. The AMP was the idea of Roman Whittaker who recognized the need to support music education in the Coachella Valley. That same year a small group of passionate musicians and educators launched the first AMP Summer Camp. Now their year-round music programs provide lessons for students between the ages of 8 and 18, and has grown in size in response to the demand for more programs. Kate serves as the AMP’s Executive Director, which provides her great pride in positively impacting the lives

Kristen Spath treasures her many fond memories of making music with her father, a talented clarinetist in several big bands. Her passion for the piano was deeply influenced by the rich tapestry of the music she grew up listening to, which inspired her to serve as a musical director for various local productions as well as provide private lessons, which she began doing at just 18 years old. Emulating her father's example, Kristen included her daughter, Brittany, in her musical journey, and together they have become an unstoppable duo in performance and songwriting.

Alyce Spoto is the Beginning Band Director in Muscatine, Iowa, where she assists 4th graders in choosing their instruments and teaches 5th graders in the development of their technique. She talks about different recruitment tactics and the importance of understanding how previous musical experiences can indicate the level of success children might find on their chosen instruments.

Charles Staley is the Fine Arts Chair at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois. He speaks about growing as an educator and the importance of placing students first to provide for successful music-making and education.

Phillip Stanger began playing drums at an early age and took lessons from the famed percussionist, Roy Knapp. Phil remembers with great joy the first time he walked into Frank’s Drum Shop in Chicago. Years later he would teach out of the world-renowned percussion store and over the years got to know the owners, managers and fellow teachers. As a passionate musician, Phil has also become an expert of several instruments which he collects, including cowbells. 

Sarah Strickland is the School Services Manager for Elefante Music in New Jersey. Her journey began in the rental program before she transitioned into teaching. In 2020, Sarah was promoted to manager, where she now combines her organizational skills and deep passion for music to expand and enhance the music programs in the schools she serves. Her dedication continues to inspire students and educators alike, as she fosters a love of music in the communities she works with. Sarah participated in the 2024 Women of NAMM (WoN) leadership summit, a yearly event designed to foster leader

Al Sturchio served the Texas Bandmasters Association for over 25 years as director and also as president. His passion and unbelievable energy has been a large part of the success of the association’s annual meeting and exhibit fair. The yearly program includes sessions and clinics as well as an award program. Al began his career in music as a band director and has taught nearly every educational level since that time. He has also worked for a music retail store and C. Bruno Wholesalers, which has provided him with great insight on matters concerning conference attendees and exhibi

Morton Subotnick composed one of the earliest and most important works of electronic music. When his album “Silver Apples of the Moon” was released in the late 1960s, it represented an entirely new era of composition. Years before the recording, he hired inventor and engineer Don Buchla to create a musical synthesizer, which preceded the Moog synthesizer by a few years. 

Peter Sullivan grew up in a musical home with both his mother and father playing piano. Peter played piano, ukulele, as well as double bass as a youngster and became passionate about playing and teaching music. He developed into a well-respected studio musician and landed the job of Music Director for TV Channel 9 in Melbourne. In recent years, he has focused on teaching music, particularly to older students with a method he calls Brain Train. The idea of his method focuses on training exercises that help keep the brain active while allowing the student to play music they enjoy.

Ira Sullivan was just three years old when he pulled his father’s trumpet out from behind the couch and began blowing into it. His father began teaching him how to play and by the time little Ira was five, he was playing in his grandmother’s church. His first professional gig came when he was only 12! Living in Chicago gave Ira many wonderful opportunities and the timing was perfect when his career took off as the Bebop era was in full swing. Ira performed with such jazz icons as Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones (to just name a few)!

Tom Sumner grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he not only played guitar in local bands but also worked in area music stores. While attending college Tom worked in music retail as well as in the general retail segment. These experiences were a helpful foundation for Tom, especially when he joined Yamaha Corporation of America and began to help create some of the company’s customer service programs for its dealers. Over the years he developed a strong understanding of Yamaha’s role not only with its dealers but also in music education.

Peter Suzuki's career parallels the rise of Yamaha and the highly successful Yamaha Music Schools in Japan and the United States. Mr. Suzuki started with Yamaha in 1962 as a retail keyboard salesman in Tokyo. Faced with ever-increasing Electone Organ production, Mr. Suzuki realized the Electone to be the ideal keyboard teaching tool and successor to the reed organ for young students in Japan. This spurred music education and the Electone to even greater sales and national renown and vaulted Mr. Suzuki to national manager of educational programs in the Yamaha Education and Promotio

Reiko Suzuki discovered her passion for music at a young age as she watched her father and mother operate a company that manufactured harmonicas and other instruments. This coupled with her father, Manji Suzuki’s desire to spread the joy of music to children later served as her inspiration to follow in her parent’s footsteps. After her start in the company where Reiko managed and supervised employees, worked in the accounting department, as well as the production side of the operation, Reiko became the president of Suzuki Musical Instruments.

Frederick Swann was one of the most famous organists of the last 50 years due to his many publications, recitals, church performances and his long run on the television program The Hour of Power. His career began when he was just 10 years old and he was asked to fill in for the organist at his father’s church (Theodore Swann was a Methodist Minister in Virginia). Fred had been taking piano lessons and seemed at ease with the organ right from the start. His career included a long association with the Riverside Church in New York City, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA and t

Jim Swearingen began composing for his students.  He soon realized his music was not only helping students learn to play, but was also encouraging them since the music was similar to popular music the students heard on the radio.  Soon his work got the attention of Barnhouse Music, which has published most of his music and method books over the years.  It's hard to imagine the impact Jim's music has had on young music makers and directors over the years.  The fact that most of you reading this know his name is a very good indicator!

Michael Sweeney has been heavily involved in all aspects of music education over his career in the music industry.  Originally a public school band director, he’s been a full-time employee of Hal Leonard Corporation since 1982, serving as director of band publications, composer, arranger, clinician and guest conductor.