Doctor

Ami Belli grew up in the Philippines surrounded by music. She played piano as a girl and would often sing with her mother and sisters. She earned her medical degree and moved to the United States, where she focused on alternative medicine. While practicing in Los Angeles, she met Remo Belli, who himself studied nutrition and medicine as well as music and wellness. The couple soon married and had a son. They traveled to many conventions over the years seeking to learn more about music wellness. They also funded several studies to show the importance of music for mental and physical

Dr. Leo Beranek is considered by many to be the father of concert hall acoustics. His amazing career has not only traced the growth of acoustic measurement but has documented it in a series of articles and books. His first book, Acoustics, was published in 1954 and is considered the bible for the field. Much of his later research was based on projects he led within the company he co-created: Bolt, Beranek and Newman. Among the most noted projects he was involved with for BBN was designing the general assembly room for the UN buildings in New York. Dr. Beranek was then interested i

Dr. Steven Eisenberg is an Oncologist with a deep passion for music making. He followed his family’s tradition of medicine while following his own love of music. Since 2008, he has teamed up with dozens of his patients to write songs together, which he feels is a key element to their treatment. Dr. Eisenberg believes that music has the power of healing and will happily provide you with examples that he has witnessed firsthand.

John Kagerer is known as the Horn Doctor up in Anchorage, Alaska.  With a very interesting background that includes welding and watch repair, John combined his skills to become one of the sought-after band instrument repair technicians in the state.  After attending the Allied School, its founder, Bob Getzen, helped John find a job.  Mr.

Stephen “Doc” Kupka met Emilio Castillo in July, 1968, and discovered they both had a dream to form a rock and roll band with a strong horn element. By the end of the year the band began touring and was discovered by Bill Graham two years later when the Tower of Power recorded their first album, East Bay Grease. Doc and Emilio wrote most of the band’s songs including most of their long list of hit records including “What Is Hip?,” “So Very Hard to Go,” and “Only So Much Oil” among others. Tower of Power continues to tour with one of the tightest horn sections around!  

Dr. Alfio Leone was among the world’s best loved luthier of traditional Italian musical instruments. He learned his craft by years of studying the vintage instrument in the region of Sicily where he was born, established his factory, and where he passed away. In 1958 he changed the name of the company to Musikalia, where he worked day and night for many decades. “I’m not always sure which direction is home, after all I am in the shop from early until very early, but this is my life” he once said. Dr.

Dr. Ruth Lion’s late husband, Alfred Lion, was the founder of Blue Note Records. Together they played a colossal role in the documentation of jazz throughout most of the 20th century. The long and impressive list of artists they recorded and promoted reads like a Who’s Who of Jazz including Monk and Gillespie to Rollins and Silver. Her charming personality and warm demeanor resulted in the close friendship with many of the recording artists in jazz. Dr. Lion provided wonderful insight into this era as well as stories behind many of those classic recordings.  Dear Ruth passed away

Sandy Radom is a volunteer at the NAMM Foundation’s  Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California and can often be found enjoying one of the many concerts presented at the museum. Sandy is a medical doctor and photographer who adds his own background to the interaction he has with museum visitors. He is also a strong advocate of the healing power of music. When visiting the museum you may ask to see the engraved sheet music plate on display as it was from the music printing company his grandfather formed in New York City!

Michael Santucci, AuD is an award-winning audiologist and the pioneering founder and president of Sensaphonics, Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois. For over 40 years, he has been a leading expert in audiological treatment and hearing protection strategies, working with Chicago-area musicians, sound engineers, and some of the world’s most prolific performers and producers. Sensaphonics designs and manufactures high-fidelity, custom in-ear products that protect hearing while preserving exceptional sound quality.

Robert Scott was known throughout the music industry as Doc Scott, the inventor of the Doc Pro Plug ear products. After running a family clinic in the Santa Cruz area of California for many years, Doc continued to encounter hearing issues affecting musicians and surfers alike. He developed an earplug designed to help address both types of hearing problems. In 1977, he formed Doc Pro Plugs and exhibited at the NAMM Show over the following several decades. His early research on ear damage also promoted healthy ear care among thousands of people through his medical awareness programs

Doc Severinsen had a mighty career as Johnny Carson’s bandleader on the “Tonight Show” and as a recording artist on several important albums. He is also widely known within the music products industry for his role in perfecting the design and feel of the trumpet. Doc worked for several companies over the decades including as the Vice President for Product Development for Danny Henkin at CG Conn. His recent endeavor has been working with Bryan Autry on his own trumpet. “Bryan and I wanted to finally make a horn that we liked. I think we came up with the best trumpet made, it feels

Robert Tall is among the most successful and popular organ salesmen in the music industry –historically and presently. He earned his masters and doctorate in music performance and began working in the music industry as salesman for a Southern California retailer in the late 1960s. Over his career, Dr. Tall created a niche within the church organ business and specialized in strong follow-up customer care. He has enjoyed many long relationships with several other passionate music industry leaders including Ruth Charles who was interviewed just moments before Dr. Tall’s interview in

Dick Waldron came to music in a most unusual way.  His father was a house painter who completed a job only to find out the house owner did not have enough money to pay so he offered a cornet, to which Dick took a liking.  He played the horn during school and served in the US Navy at the tail end of World War II after which he took a job driving a truck.    He continued to play gigs at night and decided to enroll in the Allied Supply in band instrument repair.  He then opened his own repair shop in upstate New York.  Dick has been a long-time member of NAPBIRT missing only a few an