Stewart Blatt comes from a rich musical heritage, with his grandfather being a band director and euphonium player and his mother a professional singer and choir director. This deep connec...
Edna Mae Burnam authored the now classic piano training books “A Dozen a Day” to help beginners learn in a fun and meaningful way. Her books have been critical to millions of young pianis...
Ed Cranley was surrounded by his devoted family when he was interviewed in July 2005. He spoke with pride of his role in expanding the Willis Music Company and the fact that his son now r...
Kevin Cranley grew up in the music industry and has a passion for all elements of the music business as if it were in his blood. As a young man, he completed odd jobs around the Willis M...
Paul Finke played drums since he was just a kid and gravitated towards the music business in 1985 when he was hired at Willis Music. At the time the company had eight locations and workin...
Pat Galyean was introduced to the art of songwriter by her mother, Edna Mae Burnam. Edna Mae, as Hal Leonard wrote on their website, was “one of the most respected names in piano pedagogy...
Janet Gratsch began working at Willis Music when she was 17 years old in the Choral Department. She remained with the store until she retired and even after her retirement she would be c...
Dan Herbert played trumpet as a kid and later switched to drums to form a rock band in the days following the Beatle’s popularity in the early 1960s. During the summers, he would work pa...
Christopher Hite has been a passionate musician since his early years, winning solo contests on the tuba as far back as 7th grade. With a strong foundation in piano, inspired by his mothe...
Dr. David Karp grew up with music all around him and with the encouragement of his parents to pursue his passion for music. As a composer, pianist, professor and author of published teach...
Lance Lankford was inspired by his high school band director. This relationship sparked Lance’s interest in music education, which he pursued in college. One of his college classes includ...
Scott Snyder appreciated the experience of participating in his school band program. He enjoyed the camaraderie amongst his bandmates and getting to know about various instruments. During...
