Steve Helmbold began playing trumpet at age eight, inspired by one of his early musical heroes, New Orleans jazz great Al Hirt. He remained active in school music programs through high sc...
Mike Beigel is a pioneering inventor whose pedals and synthesizers have been embraced by musicians around the world, including icons like Stevie Wonder, the Grateful Dead, Bootsy Collins,...
Wally Marx is a passionate rock and rockabilly guitarist, accomplished author, and an invaluable contributor to the NAMM Oral History program. A dedicated and longtime NAMM volunteer, Wal...
Duncan Wickel is a dynamic and versatile string instrumentalist, known for his mastery of the fiddle, cello, and viola—each of which he has artfully adapted across a wide range of musical...
Lily Henley delivered a captivating, sold-out performance at NAMM’s Museum of Making Music in May 2025, showcasing many of her original songs alongside violinist Duncan Wickel. The duo en...
Cato Zane is an accomplished audio engineer and the founder of Lost & Sound Foundry in San Diego, California. Her love for music and physics found a perfect intersection when she disc...
Father Doran Stambaugh serves as the ordained priest at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea in Carlsbad, California, where he blends his love of faith and music through a unique program called Jazz ...
Laura Penrose is the dynamic and visionary owner of Nick Rail Music, a prominent chain of seven music store locations across Southern California. In 2019, she purchased the business from ...
Jason Day and his wife Jenna are the proud founders of Day Violins, a thriving violin-focused music shop in Chantilly, Virginia. Raised in a deeply musical household—his mother a flutist ...
Marsha Orwig serves as the dynamic and tech-savvy CIO of Quinlan & Fabish Music in Illinois, a renowned and respected chain of music stores she first joined as an eager intern back in...
Daniel Jobe’s passion for music is deeply rooted in his family. His father and uncle played in a lively Bluegrass band, and Daniel fondly remembers watching his father direct music at the...
Linden Lantz has been immersed in music for as long as he can remember—after all, his parents met while playing saxophone together in their school band. Inspired by their love of music, L...
Perry Ditch enjoyed a rich and deeply rewarding 27-year career as a high school band director, during which he inspired generations of students through his passionate commitment to music ...
Shawna Rood fondly recalls the pride she felt watching her grandfather conduct a U.S. military band, a prestigious role he held for many years. Her father, also a professional musician, b...
Ana Dobrian has always thrived in the vibrant, electric energy of live music. Growing up in New Jersey, she was deeply embedded in the punk and hard rock scenes, spending countless nights...
Kurt Killon’s lifelong passion for music began with childhood piano lessons, sparking a deep love not only for performing but also for inspiring others to become musicians. He spent a dec...
Colleen Merman was just eleven years old when she began helping her grandfather, Ed Cranley — then president of Willis Music — by hand-stitching music method books, likely including class...
Holly Vallandingham, along with her husband Richie, proudly owns and operates Ada Music Center in Oklahoma, a vibrant, community-centered music store with a rich history dating back to 19...
Fred Schiff proudly carries on the legacy of his parents, Mel and Sally Schiff, who opened a small, service-oriented music store in Tamarac, Florida, in 1976. Focused on band and orchestr...
David Rhodes was mentored by Wade Fuller, a lifelong musician whose family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Fuller’s Music, a beloved store originally founded by Wade’s grandfath...
Derek Wright is a dedicated co-owner of Houghton Horns, a renowned music store in Keller, Texas, originally founded in 1985 by Dennis and Karen Houghton with a strong emphasis on expert l...
Michele Elefante was in junior high school when her father, Al, a passionate musician and skilled repairman, fulfilled his dream of opening a family-run music store. From the start, Miche...
Kevin Damm has held a deep passion for music for as long as he can remember. Inspired by his playing in garage bands with his brothers, he's enjoyed a lifelong dedication to the craft. Af...
Kimberly Deverell studied music education in college and quickly found herself drawn into the dynamic world of music retail, landing a job that led to her first NAMM Show—a transformative...
Chris Trombley found his footing in music education by stepping in as a substitute band director, a pivotal experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to empowering student musicians. ...
Eric Matzat, like his siblings, was introduced to music through piano lessons at a young age, but it was the saxophone that truly captured his heart. His love for the instrument carried h...
Matt Lisle grew up surrounded by the resonant sounds of music in South Texas, where his father was a devoted orchestra teacher. Alongside his sister, Matt performed regularly at church, n...
Rob Garofala has been a devoted gearhead since childhood, a label he wears proudly. A drummer, guitarist, and recording engineer, Rob’s multifaceted background made him a natural fit for ...
The music industry is a vibrant, ever-evolving ecosystem made up of passionate individuals who are building meaningful, sustainable careers. Far more than just a platform for performers a...
Peggy Duquesnel Malbon began writing songs at age 12 and has carried that creative spirit throughout her life. A gifted pianist, composer, and performer, Peggy has shared her music with a...
