Judy Kaufman and her husband, John Pedersen, own Amazing Grace Music, a charming and funky (in a good way) music store located in San Anselmo, California. The couple purchased the store i...
John Pedersen is a master repair technician with a focus on stringed instruments. John found himself in the position of purchasing a music store with his wife back in 1983. The wonderful ...
Ed Tomlinson is the CEO of California Keyboards Music Center in Bakersfield and a well-regarded piano technician and trainer. After touring the world as part of a Contemporary Christian g...
Corinne Lillo and her siblings Vic Dean, Les and Danielle grew up in the family music business which was founded in 1963 by their parents Doreen and Vic Lillo. Corinne has many fond memor...
Doreen Lillo and her future husband, Vic, were high school sweethearts. They were both very talented musicians and decided to start a music school and store after they were married. Lillo...
Ikuo Kakehashi’s passion for music developed early in his life. Of course, he was exposed to many innovative electronic musical instruments being the son of synthesizer pioneer and Roland...
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...
Doice Grant follows in the traditions of Alto Tatum, the founder of his store, and Doice’s father Neil who took over from Mr. Tatum. Being the third generation means a great deal to Doice...
Erica Buckley and the co-founder of Wolf Guitars Australia, Pete Mc Cullum, were thrilled to introduce their latest guitar at the 2023 NAMM trade show in Anaheim, California. It was an im...
Named after their dog, Wolf, Pete McCallum and Erica Buckley head up Wolf Guitars Australia, a Western Australian-owned and operated instrument company established in 2021. Wolf provides ...
Jennifer Mayes feels a great connection with those involved with the Women of NAMM (WoN). The networking and friendships she finds with the group bring her background and passion for musi...
Ally Amaral grew up surrounded by music. Her father playing piano and her sister in the marching band were important influences on her, particularly when she began playing clarinet in the...
Dave Malekpour recorded his band that he formed in high school thanks to the help of his stepfather who assisted him in building a four-track recorder. Once he discovered an SSL in a loca...
A gathering of artists, music advocates, and educators share their thoughts about the importance of music and its benefits. Hear from educators Dr. Merryl Goldberg, Scott Houston, and Dor...
DJ J-Rocc was among the first Hip Hop DJs in Southern California when he began rocking parties in Huntington Beach back in 1985. The skills he developed and the crew he encouraged would g...
Beth Chouinard Mitchell, with a Doctorate from USC in tuba, musicology, conducting, and arts leadership, may be diminutive in stature, but her instrument of choice is anything but small. ...
Dina Pearlman-Ifil has many fond memories of growing up in her home. Her mother had a background in visual arts and her father was an engineer and inventor of the ARP synthesizers. Her pa...
Garry Beers, also known as Garry Gary Beers, lost a bet with his schoolmates and had to be the person in the group to switch from guitar to bass. A funny beginning for a musician who has ...
Thomas Blug was just 17 years old when he began working as a studio musician in his native Germany. He developed his own unique tone, which was based on modifications of his amplifier and...
Wayne Jones is a well-known smooth jazz bassist who has recorded and performed with an impressive list of artists over the years before he focused on recording smooth jazz. All throughout...
Kendra Peterson is the retail manager for Ward-Brodt Music in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. The store was established in 1927 and has built a strong reputation for service, particularly for schoo...
Victoria Theodore has had some marvelous musical experiences both as a musician and teacher. Her first big gig was a seven-year stint touring with Stevie Wonder in his band. Being classic...
Tracy Vignati and her husband Fabrice formed a band together using a style they call Gypsybilly! They debuted their band, The Vignatis, in 2009. Tracy describes their style as a blend of ...
Fabrice Vignati and his wife Tracy teamed up to create a new take on Rockabilly music, which they call Gypsybilly. Being a fan of Rockabilly since he was a kid, Fabrice brings the classic...
Meg Leighton is a beloved floor manager at the NAMM Show, but did you know she was also a pioneering Live Sound rigger? She was among the few women climbing scaffolding for touring rock b...
Helen Culleton recalls with a smile attending her first concert. The live event took place in London with AC/DC (with their original band members) and the opening act was Def Leppard’s fi...
Michael Jago has always had a great deal of respect for music retailers and can boast of working with several over his long career. He started retail with one of his early mentors in the ...
Wendy Parr has been singing for as long as she can remember, yet there was a time when she wasn’t sure she unlocked the key to her own voice. When she did, Wendy was greatly motivated to ...
Jules Follett is the published photographer who established The Sessions as a way of teaching musicians the business side of the Music Business. As a result, she has brought experts toget...
Dee Halacsy grew up with an upright piano in her home, often listening to her mother play. She took piano lessons and developed a real love for music. While in school she joined the band,...
