Wisconsin

Travis Christopherson’s roots in music can be traced back to when his grandfather played country music records for him as a child. As he learned to play the guitar, Travis saw his passion for music grow and was inspired by the enjoyment he gave others. While in school he participated in the band programs and learned to play the trombone, which became a second passion for him. With the trombone he studied in college, performed with legendary musicians and taught many young students such as in the early 1990s when he was a part of the Clark Terry Jazz Camp! Behind his playing was hi

Brian Douglas enjoyed a career as a touring musician and songwriter both in rock and in house music, which gives him a unique perspective in understanding several facets of the needs of performers.  As president of Cream City Music outside of Milwaukee, and an owner, he is able to provide that perspective in a way that is meaningful to his customers.  As the store expands in on-line sales as well as walk in sales, Brian and his staff stand at the ready to apply their knowledge and passion to help others fulfill their musical dreams.

Barbara Gensmer established herself as one of the top church organ dealers in the United States, having sold and installed over 1,200 units since the 1970s. She focused on Minnesota and Wisconsin, and stayed loyal to the Rodgers Instrument Company for most of her career. In 1991, when Rodgers introduced an organ with MIDI, Barbara took the time to become an expert, so she could better serve her customers. Over the years, she has stayed informed on all of the features and upgrades for the same reason, to better fulfill the needs of the churches who entrust her with the task of find

Julie Hamm is the Director of School Services at White House of Music in Wisconsin. The role perfectly fits Julie, who grew up in a very musical home. Her parents both played musical instruments and encouraged all of their children to play. Throughout high school and college, she pursued music, focusing on music education and music business.

Peter Heid enjoyed his career playing with many of the dance bands of the 1930s and 1940s in his hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin. After the war, he used his love of music to open a small store, Heid Music, in the heart of downtown Appleton. The store continued to grow over the years as Peter found specific product niches and sales techniques. However, he always looked for ways to increase the store’s relevance to the music community around them.

Paul Heid grew up in the music retail world. His father formed Heid Music in Appleton, WI, and Paul along with his brother, Robert, followed in their father’s footsteps. Paul served on several industry boards including NASMD and NAMM. During his time on the NAMM Board, Paul served as Chairman (2003-2005) and was instrumental in the establishment of NAMM International and NAMM’s relationship with China in the early 2000’s.  

Todd Heid of Heid Music grew up watching the shop operate and found his passion for the business during his high school years. In the early years of Heid Music, the store had a large product spread including household appliances and TV sets. Todd’s father took over in 1985 with a focus on expanding the business. His sister came into business in early 1990s and Todd took over in 2008. The store currently has 5 locations and has a large focus on music education.

DeDe Heid met her husband Todd while selling his music store, Heid Music, their newspaper advertising. After attending numerous NAMM Shows with Todd, as well as other business meetings, DeDe decided to get involved with the store around 2009 and now serves as the Executive Vice President of Heid Music.

Michael Houser is the Chief Executive Officer for Cascio Interstate Music, which serves both as a brick and mortar store in New Berlin, Wisconsin as well as an internet store.

Lauri Knapton is the founder of Knapton Musik Knotes in Janesville, Wisconsin. The store, which was established in 2000, provides musical instruments, lessons, and a long list of community outreach programs such as Rock Camp and Uke Circles. Lauri has been passionate about music since she began taking violin lessons at the age of four. It was while working for a music store during high school, she realized she enjoyed marketing and thought of nothing she wanted to promote more than music making as she understood the benefits first hand. The store began as a Lowrey dealer, which pr

Roger Kraft was a pioneer in the retailing of electronic musical instruments such as keyboards and synthesizers in the 1980s.  Many may recall the days of keyboard stores throughout the United States in the early days of MIDI, when innovative keyboards were the craze.  With a background in electronics and music, Roger not only sold these creative products, but often would modify instruments to fit his own needs as a musician.  The keyboard store was the launching pad for a fuller musical retail store called Kraft Music, which he is always proud to point out is currently run by his

John LaBouve’s background is in business and marketing. When he married into the Goodell Family, he took a chance at working in his father-in-law’s music store, Goodell Music in Sheboygan, WI. He began in 1974 and soon took over the store as president and owner. During the interview, John discussed how he kept the store on track and well balanced as trends came and went, and as new challenges appeared such as big box stores and the Internet. For John, what continues is a devotion to his customers and a caring approach to developing music makers in the community.  

Paul Leithold is the fourth generation to run the Leithold Music store, along with his sister Abbie. The La Crosse, Wisconsin-based store was established in 1888 as a piano store and repair shop. Just like his great-grandfather, Paul was trained as a piano tuner and has overseen many elements of the company including the band, orchestra and combo departments. He has created the store’s web site and stayed abreast of technology to uncover new areas of growth for the company.

Roger Leithold recalled moving into the historic building where Leithold Music is located on Fourth Street in La Crosse, Wisconsin during his NAMM Oral History interview. The building was originally a furniture store created in 1889. When the Leithold's moved their store into the building in 1964 the store was actually older than the building. Roger’s grandfather formed a piano store in 1888. Roger ran the company after his father and passed it along to his daughter Abbie and son Paul. For over 60 years, Roger’s wife has taught music lessons in the store that holds so much of thei

Teresa Leithold began teaching music in 1956 and conducted her last lesson just ten days before she passed away at the age of 87 on February 13, 2019. Music was her passion!  While her husband ran the family music store in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mrs. Leithold created the music lesson program for the store. She began teaching at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a 24-year-old with three degrees in music and education. She taught in the public schools and also taught privately since she was in college, utilizing the Leithold lesson programs that she had developed.

Abbie Leithold-Gerzema is the co-owner of Leithold Music in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Abbie and her brother also share management duties in the store that their great-grandfather established in 1888. Abbie graduated from Drake University with a music degree in Pipe Organ and Music Business. In the store she runs the piano and keyboard departments as well as creating the store’s advertisements. She is involved in the music and worship programs of the First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse and has been very active in the local music education programs.  

Jim Lo Duca's father and uncle founded Lo Duca Brothers, a small music store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just before America entered World War II. With his uncle drafted, Jim's father, Tom, stayed to run the store, developing a successful accordion program that enrolled over 1,000 students and employed 30 teachers. Tom designed several durable, student-proof accordion models, later distributed by Sears under the Silver Tone brand. When Jim joined the family business, he managed the long-standing partnership with Sears, which spanned over 30 years and expanded the company to include t

Kara McCanna began playing violin at an early age alongside her sister, sparking a lifelong passion for music and craftsmanship. Over the years, she has performed with both the Bozeman Symphony and the Wisconsin Philharmonic, experiences that deepened her love for the instrument and the community of musicians around it. Kara studied at the Chicago School of Violin Making and the instrument repair program in Red Wing, Minnesota, where she honed her technical expertise and creative precision. She has crafted several violins of her own, including the one she most often plays in perfo

Larry McDonald grew up surrounded by music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a father who performed in the symphony. By age 13, he was mastering classical guitar, igniting a lifelong passion for both playing and teaching music. His insatiable desire to learn led him to music education, and in 1975, while attending college, he took a job at a local music store—where he met his future wife, Ellen. The couple later purchased the business and transformed it into Hartland Music, a thriving hub for lessons and the latest gear during the 1980s rock boom. Their success led to a major expansio

Ellen McDonald is a passionate music retailer who has strived to create programs and events that encourage her community to take part in active music-making. Hartland Music, located in Hartland, Wisconsin, just west of Milwaukee, is home to over 2000 weekly music students and has become the musical hub of the surrounding area. Ellen and her husband designed their current location to include teaching studios, a performance area, a separate piano room, large display areas, a music therapy center and even a coffee bar! The best part of Hartland music is the comfort level you feel whe

Ruth Ann Melk recalled the days when her husband’s father would design specialized tools for the repair of musical instruments, which her husband, Phil Jr, soon developed into a full time job and career. She said he was delighted to quit his day job as milk man and devote his time and energy into something he loved. In 1956, when Ruth Ann gave birth to their first child, a son Fred, they opened a small musical instrument repair shop. Over the years Ruth Ann learned flute repair but found her niche was talking to people and took over the front counter.  

Fred Melk was born the year his father and grandfather (Philip Sr and Jr) opened a small instrument repair shop in Milwaukee, WI. The year was 1956. Fred’s father became one of the country’s foremost authorities on band instruments and repair. In the days before NAPBIRT and other organizations dedicated to the profession, many independent repairmen had little in the way of written materials and tools to assist them with their job. Phil Jr and years later Fred made many adjustments to existing tools, modifying them to fit their needs, or they would design and craft their own to

Tom Merritt is the general manager for The Music Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin and the right hand man for the company's president, Jim Paulsen.  The two have worked side by side for several decades and both feel their main goals in business are to serve those who walk in the door.  Customer service and attention to quality products have been key factors in the growth and development of the store over the years. Their team work should be added to that list too!

David “Bud” Morgan opened his music retail store in 1957 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Since that time Morgan’s Music has become a critical part of the community and the local school music programs. Built on a devotion to music and music making, Morgan’s Music followed the mission to serve the music makers who come through the door with the same passion that founder Bud Morgan established within the store and staff. Among Bud’s many memorable slogans is “There is nothing better than providing music to people’s lives.”  

Jim Paulsen's father opened a small music store in Kenosha to focus on his instrument of choice, the accordion.  When young Jim encouraged his father to expand into guitars, they started off slow, but soon began to grow.  The Music Center today is a well-established retailer that covers the combo and school markets and includes both lessons and repairs.  The family feeling within the store that Jim's father created continues with family members as well as long time employees who are treated as members of Jim's family!

Tristann Rieck’s first instrument was the song flute, which was an introduction to the band program in grade school, which she joined the very next year.  She later took up the alto horn and still later the French horn, which has remained her main instrument.  With her father operating the Brassbell Music store, Tristann was surrounded by music and grew to really love the role retailers play in providing musical instruments into the lives of their customers.  After earning her business and finance degree she put her horn down for a year to focus on working in banking but soon real

Al Slivinski was in the third grade when a salesman visited his school with the pitch “you too can be an accordion player!” Al developed great techniques on the accordion that served him well when he began playing the organ in high school, which he continued throughout college. He sold pianos and organs and also gave lessons at local music stores. He and his wife opened their first piano and organ store in Wisconsin during the mid-1970’s. Upon selling the business he became a district manager and sales executive for a number of piano manufacturers. Later in his career, Al develope

Connie Smith is the Vice President of Ward-Brodt Music in Madison, Wisconsin. She grew up in music and enjoyed playing music as a young girl, going on to study music in college.  While in college she applied for an internship at Ward Brodt Music, where she has been ever since!  She worked her way up within the company and served in many areas of the store, beginning with shipping clerk.

Ed Strege is known within the band instrument repair world as “fast Eddie” for his speed at repair and short-cut tricks he has taught members of NAPBIRT for several decades. His classes on repair started as a service within his company and served as the only training program for band instrument repair in the state of Wisconsin for a while. He now shares his ideas to attendees of NAPBIRT and continues to provide top quality repair and tools as part of Badge State Repair & Supply.

Julie Wagnitz manages the school road reps for Heid Music in Wisconsin, supporting the team that interacts most with the local band directors. Her passion for music developed in large part to her father who played accordion in Polka bands. She went on to play several instruments including banjo, bass guitar and trumpet.

Jerry White and his brothers all played musical instruments growing up on their family farm in Wisconsin. Their father was a professional musician who played in popular dance bands. Jerry and his wife, Ellen, both became schoolteachers and Jerry continued to play on the side. When he had an opportunity to join his cousin at a small music store in 1961, Jerry jumped at the chance. With many long hours and rarely taking money out of the business, that little store grew into the White House of Music with six locations. Jerry became active in the Scull Groups, as well as serving as Tr

Ellen White did not work in the music store her husband Jerry operated for many years and yet her supportive role helped that little retail business grow into the White House of Music chain consisting of multiple locations. Both Jerry and Ellen were teaching when Jerry decided to join his cousin in the music business. Jerry followed his passion in music while Ellen continued with her passion of teaching. Her steady salary allowed Jerry to put all of his earnings back into the business. When he bought out his cousin, Ellen suggested the store be renamed to White House of Music.