NASMD

Mitchel Banks has been working in the music store his father established as far back as he can remember. After serving as a band director, Don Banks formed his retail store in Tampa in 1967. Mitchel worked side by side with his father and took an active role in band instrument repair as well as using the ever-changing technology, such as the Internet, to benefit the business. Mitchel is also active in industry groups such as NAPBIRT, NAMM, NASMD and RPMDA.

Russell Beacock is president of Beacock Music, a Vancouver, Washington-based retail store that was established by his parents, Dale and Susan, back in 1976. Proudly representing the second generation of the family owned business, Russ works alongside his sister Gayle. Together they have expanded the business, which has a strong focus on school music, as well as being able to compete with the Internet and big-box stores in their area. Russ is also very active in organizations within the industry such as NASMD and NAMM.
 

Larry Biernacky opened the first of three music stores in Deerfield, Illinois. Like with all three locations he named it after the local community, such as Deerfield Music, to provide a neighborhood feel to each store. Along with a strong focus on customer service, the stores have become the place to be for musicians and students. Over the years Larry has taken extra care in building the company’s music lesson programs, picking qualified and dedicated teachers and making sure books and accessories are available for all levels of students. Larry has shared his ideas with independent retail groups as well as NASMD and NAMM to help strengthen the industry he is passionate about. 

T. Warren Brown was president of the music store his father established in the Tacoma, Washington area in the years of World War II. Ted Brown Music became an important leader in the music retail business with Warren playing key roles in the expansion of the store. Warren was also active within the industry, where he helped the establishment of the Omega Group as well as NASMD National Association of School Music Dealers. A matter of pride for Warren is that his daughters grew up in the business and went on to run the business. His daughter Stephanie ran the Richland Store and Whitney was at the Evergreen Plaza Store, while the three worked as a team at their Tacoma Mall Blvd. location.

Brian Chung grew up surrounded by music and played piano at an early age. He earned an MBA and worked at ATT before returning to music. Brian wrote film scores using MIDI in the early 1980s, but injured his arm. As he wondered what he would do until his arm recovered, he applied and got a job at Kawai Pianos. Within several years he grew within the company, becoming senior vice president. During this time Brian became a strong supporter of many music education programs including those supported by NASMD, RPMDA and NAMM. 

Madeleine Crouch always has an endless amount of energy. In the role of industry association manager, Madeleine took over the company established by Don Dillon, which offers organizational and planning services for a number of music industry associations including RPMDA, ISB and NASMD. Madeleine and her team have helped increase the membership for these organization and several others outside the music industry. With her guidance and passion for music (she was once the manager of a music store’s sheet music department in Texas) the annual conferences for these groups have also grown in numbers and in meaning for their members.

Don Dillon is an industry original! Throughout his 25-plus years in non-profit association management, Don has represented some of the best-known organizations in the music industry, most notably the Piano Manufacturers Association International and National Piano Foundation. Don’s love of the business and his management firm team increased the membership and scope of non-for-profit music groups like the Retail Print Music Dealers Association, the National Association of School Music Dealers, International Society of Bassists and American Viola Society.

Barry Draisen recalls the stories he was told about his grandfather who started a store that his uncle would later expand to include school band instruments. The store is now in Anderson, South Carolina, and one of the area’s best known band and orchestra retailers. Barry is proud of the relationships he and his staff have established with school music teachers and band directors and feels strongly this is one of the key elements to their success. Barry is also very active in music industry originations including NASMD.

Richard Ellis is proud of the three main areas of his professional career, playing, teaching and selling music instruments. As a teenager Richard traveled with a big band, playing dances during the Swing Era. He later taught music at several levels as well as directing the local community band. As a musical retailer, Richard began in 1946 working out of his home before building Ellis Music in Bethel, Vermont, which today is run by three of his four children –another fact for which he is proud.
 

Mark Goff was ready to work for a musical instrument manufacturer after college when he was told that he needed retail experience. Impressed with the idea and eager to learn all he could he applied to work at Paige’s Music in Indiana. Mark enjoyed working with the owner, past NAMM Chairman Warner Paige, and the vibe of the music store. Mark later followed in Mr. Paige’s footsteps serving on the NAMM Board and EXCOM. He also served as president of NASMD