Ithaca College

Rick Beato, born in Rochester, New York, embarked on his musical journey early on. He honed his craft at Ithaca College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in music, and later pursued a Masters in Jazz Studies from the esteemed New England Conservatory of Music in 1987. With a diverse skill set encompassing session-musician work, university lecturing, songwriting, studio engineering, mixing and record production, Rick has left an indelible mark on academia and the music industry. Establishing Black Dog Sound Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995, Rick has fostered a creative haven for arti

Paul Meisenzahl bought his first guitar from his brother for $2.00 and promptly taught himself how to play. His first paying gig came when he was eleven and he played in rock bands throughout high school. After working at MXR and Ithaca Guitar Works in Ithaca, New York, Paul began his career as a rep. He worked in product development for Yamaha and Fender where he headed the Acoustic Division before his retirement in 2008.

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. That early role led to a position with John Keal Music as a dedicated road rep, where his hands-on experience proved to be an invaluable asset. A lifelong trombone and euphonium player, Chris was drawn to music education not just as a career but as a mission—to inspire the next generation of music makers. Over the years, he trained and mentored new reps, created a proprietary computer program stil