NAMM DC Fly-In

Rebecca Apodaca was the President of A & D Music Incorporated in Southern California. She played music as a child and gravitated to the electric bass. Her father and others such as Doc Kauffman (Leo Fender’s partner) and Bernardo Rico (BC Rich founder) taught her guitar repair. She grew up replacing strings and adjusting necks on guitars. Over the years she received her Certifications and Degrees in Music, Musical Instrument Repair and expanded the services of her business to include appraising musical instruments. She was the first person certified as an “Accredited Senior Ap

This audio only interview was conducted by David Schwartz and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Tony Bennett, the legendary jazz and pop music singer, provided his thoughts about the recording process to David Schwartz, who interviewed Tony for MIX Magazine in 1986. During the interview, Tony reflected on the changes in the studio process since his recording career began. He first entered the pop charts in 1951 and recorded his signature tune a decade later, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.

Jenna Day attended the NAMM Fly-IN in 2015, where she realized the power of music and the role each of us has in bringing music into the lives of young students. Having participated in her school bands, including as rifle captain in her college colorguard, Jenna encourages students to make music. She inspires those in the music industry to help make a difference with their local government, as she learned from her Fly-In experience.

Rick DeJonge has always had a passion for music education and applied that focus to each place he has worked and for each new project. His mother was a band director for 34 years, which is likely where his passion began. Rick was very active musically at an early age, playing the piano, drums, saxophone, clarinet and composing. As a songwriter, Rick composed works for small and large bands including the Boston Brass and film scores. He even wrote for the television program Lost and a Willie Nelson movie. He worked at Conn-Selmer for five years before working for KHS America in 200

Nan DeStafney served her country as a United States Navy nurse. As she neared retirement, she met navy man Jim DeStafney who had the idea of opening his own music store. The two were married and saw Jim’s vision come true when Blues Angel Music was opened in northern Florida. Nan has served in the background, running the business side and handling the accounting duties. Her care and passion to help those in need, especially special needs children, has resulted in programs and music lessons in the store that serve all levels of musicians. She has also worked tirelessly to support m

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 in gritty clubs where she quickly forged lasting relationships with musicians, sound engineers and club owners. What began as a desire to support her friends — hauling gear, assisting with setup and lending a hand at the soundboard — soon evolved into a genuine calling.

John Jarvis is the president and owner of the music retail store in Florida, Music Man. His father was a band director back in 1944 who retired to Florida in 1973 and opened a small store three years later. As a result, John grew up in a very musical home. He played saxophone in his high school band and after college decided to work in the store. He learned how to repair band instruments and later went on the road as a school road rep for the store. After taking over the business he expanded to a second location with a focus on servicing school music programs.

Mike Kamphuis is perfectly suited for his position as Vice President, Division of Education at Conn-Selmer in Elkhart, Indiana. His role allows him to work closely with educators and industry leaders with the mission to make music programs available to all students. Leaning on his own experiences, first as a trumpeter in the 7th grade, progressing into jazz bands in high school and college, and finally teaching in his own trumpet studio, Mike understands fully the benefits of solid music programs. His career in the industry began in 2001 when he was hired as a sales rep for Leblan

Scott Mandeville is a well regarded band instrument repairman who has developed into a noted teacher and expert, serving other repairman through his classes, sessions and writings for NAPBIRT (the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians). Scott is the owner of Tim’s Music in Sacramento, California, where he trains the store’s repairmen and runs the entire operation. Over the years he has been a devoted teacher, willing to help others in need of answers while repairing instruments. Scott served as president of NAPBIRT and continues to teach and write

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, brought music to life with his spirited performances in a Wild West band. Inspired by her musical lineage, Shawna developed a deep passion for advocating music education, especially for young learners. As Educational Manager at Antonio Violins in Cincinnati, Ohio, she found a meaningful platform to shape innovative programs, including partnerships with the Cincinnati Symphony.

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 orchestra instruments, the store quickly became a trusted resource for local school music programs. In 2022, All County Music was named the NAMM Dealer of the Year and Best Community Retail Store. Fred leads the business with the same unwavering dedication to music education, while expanding its mission through active involvement in local and state government advocacy.

Bernie Williams is the former professional baseball player whose passion for music making led him to a role as a music advocate. Being a musician since he was a kid, Bernie perused a successful career as a baseball player for 16 years before gaining his degree in music at the Manhattan School of Music.   From 1991-2006 as a New York Yankee, Bernie continued to make music, often brining his guitar to spring training.