Music Education / Music Teachers

John Kuzmich, Jr. is a pioneering figure in the marching band movement and has left an indelible mark on both high school and college-level bands. A proud alumnus of Michigan State University, his own band made history marching in the Rose Bowl in 1959.

David Kuzminski, owner of Connecticut Valley School of Music and Dance, epitomizes dedication to and passion for music education. For three decades, alongside his wife Ronna, David has nurtured a thriving community hub for aspiring musicians and dancers on Main Street in Portland. A graduate of the University of Hartford Conservatory School of Music, David's musical journey began as a guitarist and bassist, igniting a lifelong devotion to the craft. Beyond the confines of traditional education, David's commitment to music extends to his role as an adjunct professor at Trinity Coll

Jim LaDiana has developed his love of music in a variety of ways that have touched many people over his career. As an author he has written articles and a book about studio musicians, titled Strings of Memories - Jazz & Studio Guitar Pioneers. This book provides often overlooked details about many of the hit-makers we have enjoyed hearing without necessarily knowing their names. As an educator Jim designed the Music Experience Workshop program to serve special needs students which has benefited thousands of children and given credence to the powers of music.

Doug Lady is one of those guys who will give you the shirt off his back.  As the Senior Vice President of Sales for Hal Leonard, he has created a team that echoes his strong and sincere feelings towards customer service.  Doug has also been active within several elements throughout the music products industry to ensure growth of music makers and strong business practices.  As a member of the Music Achievement Council (MAC), Doug has helped direct many of that organization’s goals and tasks, and he has also served on the board of the Church Music Publishers Association and the Milw

John Lambert is a docent at NAMM’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, having joined the team in 2019. Just after his docent training was complete the pandemic of 2020 hit and closed down the museum. As soon as the museum reopened John was there, willing to jump right into providing tours and serving as a gallery attendant. The development of John’s passion for music began with his father, a teacher and piano player who actively provided musical opportunities for his children (including taking young John to a club to see Buddy Rich). John began playing drums in element

E. L. Lancaster was destined to become a teacher.  His mother was a school teacher, and his years of piano lessons led him to major in music education in college.  He continued his studies, receiving his masters and doctoral degrees, and began teaching at the college level.  He taught at the University of Oklahoma for 18 years where he established the masters and doctoral degree programs in piano pedagogy.  During that time, he and his wife, Gayle Kowalchyk, ran a successful piano studio

Lisa Lang is the 5th and 6th Grade Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director in Independence, Iowa. Ms. Lang has taught for 25 years in both Iowa and Delaware and received her education at the University of Iowa. 

Neil Larrivee was just four years old when he began playing drums. His father was a manager for rock bands and music was all around Neil as he grew up. He served in the Drum and Bugle Corps when he was 11 and soon embraced orchestral music and the timpani. He landed a job with Vic Firth, just as the mallet company was taking off. Neil’s first office was in Vic’s home, near the washing machine. As the company grew and developed so did his role within the business, staying with Vic for over thirty years. After Vic passed away, Neil stayed on as the company transitioned to Zildjian i

Bill Larson served as a band director for over 35 years in Montana.  When he needed the support from a music store to service his bands, he called on Eckroth Music in Bismarck, ND.  Bill was so impressed by the help he received that he visited the store and got to know owners, Bill and Mary Ann Eckroth and later, their son Jeff.  After his retirement from band leading, Bill was offered a job at the Montana Eckroth stores to call on school programs providing the same services he once received from the same store!

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser was presented the highest honor from the American Music Conference (AMC) when he was given the Henry Grossman Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors those dedicated to music education and advocacy, which is practically Tim’s middle name. Over the years as a band director and educator, he has been asked to provide clinics to assist teachers and administrators with the role of increasing the ranks of music makers. He was also an early supporter of recreational music making and was a promoter of many of the advocacy materials created by NAMM, AMC, and othe

John Lee is the eldest son of Tom and Betty Lee, the founders of a chain of music retail stores in Hong Kong and Canada. During John’s first NAMM interview, he spoke of the company’s expansion from Hong Kong into North America following his father’s interest in keeping the store growing in new markets. John took over the business in Canada after college but eventually returned to Hong Kong. In 2024, he was interviewed a second time to talk about his passion project, which began when he retired. His foundation, Life Passion project, seeks to cultivate a passion for music in people

Neil Leonard began playing saxophone at a young age and it's no wonder, his father was a noted Jazz historian and author. After being greatly influenced by the Pink Floyd album "Dark Side of the Moon", Neil registered for classes at Berklee College of Music in Boston (1979). He fully embraced electronic instrumentation, which was developing rapidly during this time and in 1988 performed live with electronics and the saxophone for the first time. The music and technology classes and field of study at Berklee School of Music were among the first at the college level, a fact for whic

Stanley Leonard, the principal timpanist emeritus for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, was interviewed during PASIC 2010 on the very day he was inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame. It was an exciting day and Stanley expressed his gratitude for the honor. He also recalled his life in music, beginning with his early teachers and his passion for the timpani. He is also the author of the well respected method book “Pedal Technique for the Timpani,” as well as his composition, “Canticle” for timpani, which was first  published by Volkwein Brothers in Pittsburgh in 1972.  The book rema

Frank Lestina has taught for eleven years at Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, Illinois. He speaks here about attracting and retaining students and about the importance of visibility to incoming middle school students.

Joshua Levy is a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy member, having been with the group since 1996. As the pianist, arranger and composer, Levy has played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s distinctive style and sound, which has garnered worldwide acclaim. His collaboration with legendary recording engineer Al Schmitt in Hollywood holds a special place in his heart, reflecting his dedication to musical excellence. Among his most cherished experiences is performing at the Super Bowl alongside the iconic Stevie Wonder as part of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Sandra Lindsay is the Managing Director of Muso's Corner, a music store located in Newcastle, New South Whales, Australia. She purchased a small piano store and repair shop in 1967 and later renamed it Muso's Corner and expanded to a larger location in 1994. With a focus on lessons and music educational programs, Sandra has been active in supporting the Australian Music Association as well as serving on its board. Her son Andy also joined her in business. He became active in creating programs and sales events for their customers including May The Fourth Be With You sale and its fo

Elisabeth Link, wife of Horst Link, played an important role in the success of Sonor - a company synonymous with quality percussion instruments. For many years, a critical part of the product palette has been the Orff Schulwerk instruments, which are used in classrooms all over the world. Elisabeth was responsible for the success of the Sonor instruments in schools. She married Horst, the third-generation owner of Sonor, in 1969, and made music education and pedagogy her calling.

Sherry Linnerooth took music lessons from Bill Eckroth, who would later open a music store in Mandan, North Dakoda.  When she later taught music in Bozeman, Montana, she called on Bill to supply her with accessories and music books.  Those orders increased so much that she could no longer work out of her home and was asked by Bill to open the first Eckroth store in Bozeman!  While working for the store she continued to play French Horn in the Bozeman Symphony. Later on she worked in the office of the symphony.

Don Lombardi is the founder of Drum Workshop, who formed the company at the age of 26 with the goal of providing teaching facilities for young drummers in Santa Monica. Don had the opportunity to purchase the equipment to bring the famous Camco drum pedal back to the market place under the DW name. As the company developed and its product line increased to include snares and full drum kits, Don kept an eye on his original goal of music education.

Muriel Long began teaching piano in 1959 and since that time two things have been very clear to those who know her, she is a passionate music maker and a heck of a salesperson! She grew up playing the Hammond and found that even as a teenager, she loved teaching music!  While giving lessons at a piano store in Southern California, she was asked to help with a store sale.  The rest is history as her talent selling soon earned her the respect of many manufacturers including Baldwin and Lowrey.  Muriel played a key role in the success of the Lowrey Organ Program, which was rolled out

Mary Luehrsen is a music advocate dedicated to music education and promoting support for music education.  As Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for NAMM and a former music teacher and professional musician, Mary has helped NAMM and its partners with policy issues and legislation that impact access to music education in the United States.  Mary spearheaded the development of the SupportMusic Coalition and created partnerships with high profile music advocates such as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and music icon Quincy Jones.  She guided NAMM strategic par

Norm Lurie played the guitar as a teenager and was a big fan of Bob Dylan. After working in the book publishing business in Melbourne for eight years, Norm was given the opportunity to work at Music Sales. The company was stationed in England and run by Bob Wise, who hired Norm as the Managing Director. Over the years, Norm helped developed a very successful series of music books entitled "The Great Australian Songbook." He also worked long and hard with the Australian Music Association to develop music educational programs throughout the country.  

Beth Lyons is the 5th through 8th Grade Band Director at five different elementary schools and one middle school in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She has taught several elements of music, ranging from instrumental, choir, and general music. Ms. Lyons received her education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

John Mahlmann has been executive director of MENC: The National Association for Music Education since 1983. MENC is the world's largest association of professional music educators. Over the years, he has led MENC through a period of substantial membership growth -- to more than 130,000 members -- and transformed the landscape of music education through innovative programs and vigorous advocacy of music education in our nation's schools.

Gale Mallory served as Band Director in Georgia and Alabama for over 38 years, making a real difference in the lives of thousands of students! She innovated several elements to the Marching Band’s Color Guard, such as the broader use of flags and dance lines. She attended Troy University where she met her husband and fellow band director Ronnie Mallory. The two taught together for many years before Gale decided to pursue her love of elementary music, working with beginners and having a ball. She also volunteers for Art’s Music, where Ronnie is a School Road Rep.

Felice Mancini grew up in a home full of music. Her father was an Oscar-winning composer and her mother is the noted vocalist who formed the Society of Singers. Felice has devoted herself to the non-profit world when she became involved with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation in 1998, just two years after Michael Kamen formed the organization. Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was established after the movie that tells the story of a high school music teacher. Kamen, who scored the movie, wanted to create a foundation that would provide instruments to students who wanted to play in the

EveAnna Manley grew up around music and played several instruments. Attending college she discovered that she preferred the more mathematical side of music theory after she was introduced to electronics and developed an interest in audio. Hearing Bill Graham speak in one of her classes inspired her to move to California and she ended up joining David Manley’s company building tube amplifiers. EveAnna worked her way up in the company while creating more efficient and long-lasting systems and eventually took sole ownership of the company in 1999.

Iris Manus and her husband, Morty, are one of the most adorable couples you may ever meet. Their interview was full of colorful remembrances of the early days of Alfred Publishing, how they met, and the great pride of their sons now running the company. The friendships they have created in the industry and the reputation they created within their company is legendary. What they spent little time talking about was their enormous impact on the industry, the guitar method markets that have increased since Morton’s first publication and their support of many elements of the music indu

Amir Marghany received his law degree in his home country of Egypt while wanting to apply his knowledge to the music industry. He sought the advice of Sammy Ash, who gave him some insights and has since become a friend. Amir discovered a need for a wholesale business offering quality instruments to stores not well serviced by other distributors. He formed the company T-Group and established a strong dealer base. During his NAMM Oral History interview in 2019, Amir provided a very helpful overview of the musical traditions in Egypt as well as background information on music educati

Glen Marhevka, known as "the Kid," is a longstanding member of the renowned band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, joining in 1995. Marhevka's exceptional trumpet skills have graced tracks from such notable artists as Ben Harper and B.B. King. He also represents Yamaha as an artist and clinician, actively promoting music and education. His dedication to education stems from his own experiences with inspirational band teachers. Notable career highlights include performing at the Super Bowl with his band and collaborating with music legend Stevie Wonder.

Sebastian Mariné was encouraged to pursue music by his parents. The roots of his passion for music go back to when he was a small child singing Gregorian Chants in his family’s church in Spain. Music has always been a spiritual expression for him, something he conveys to his students at the Conservatory of Music in Madrid where he teaches. Using the piano, Sebastian began composing music before he was formally trained. Over the years he has worked with several movie directors to create film scores, a process he greatly enjoys.

Ellis Marsalis had a firm idea how to bring out the best music in people, even before his famous sons were born.  His understanding of music theory and notation became the cornerstone of his own career as a musician and that of an unofficial music teacher. Just a few years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the 9th Ward neighborhood that Ellis once called his home, he opened a music center to encourage music making!  With the support of his family as well as Harry Connick Jr. and the local government, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music began providing lesson programs, computer class