Ken Skitch – Repair Shop Manager – Years of Experience: 30
(920) 734-1969 ext. 110

A graduate of Allied Music Repair School, Ken has been repairing band instruments since 1981. He began his career of repairing in Toronto, Canada. He joined the Heid Music staff in 1987 and has been manager of the repair department at Heid Music in Appleton, WI since 1995.

Ken is President of NAPBIRT, the Nation Association of Professional Repair Technicians and is also Director of Region 4. He is a master clinician, having presented at several regional and national clinics in the US as well as in Canada. He is on the advisory board for BIR program at Minnesota State Southeast Technical College in Red Wing and has also been a substitute instructor.

Jeff Tellock – Senior Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 38
(920) 734-1969 ext. 112

Jeff Tellock, received his technical training at Allied Music Corporate Repair Technicians School in 1973. After his training, he spent four years with Beihoff Music in Milwaukee, WI, where he was their branch store manager and repair technician.

In 1978, Jeff became the repair shop manager for Heid Music - a position he held for 16 years. Now, Jeff is our master repair technician. This allows him to spend more time with our professional repair customers, as well as provide in-house mentoring for newer repair staff. His reputation as a technician is world-renowned, and musicians from as far away as Boston, California, and Germany will only send their instruments to Jeff for repair.

Jeff's expertise and knowledge of repair is sought after throughout the nation. He has taught band repair classes since 1990 at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and has given clinics to music educators throughout Wisconsin. He is an active member of NAPBIRT (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians) and has given seminars at several of their international conferences.

At the 2003 NAPBIRT Convention, Jeff was presented with the prestigious "Clinician of the Year" Award for his clinic titled "One Good Idea" which highlighted unique and effective ways to perform better, more efficient repairs. Jeff has also been published in the Allied Music Corp Repair Catalog.

Jeff continually strives to improve his repair techniques and skills. He is a certified Straubinger Pad Technician and is proud to offer Sales and Authorized Service for a number of fine flute manufacturers:

Miyzazawa • Straubinger • Resona • Trevor James • Avant • Altos • Burkart • Muramatsu
Hammig • Powell • Yamaha • Azumi

These companies are very strict in their repair and sales guidelines and require rigorous training before a technician can be certified to work on their instruments.

Jeff is very sensitive to the ongoing needs of the instrumentalist, both musically and physically. He continually strives to improve the sound of instruments. He also has created instrument modifications and assists players experiencing tendonitis, Dystonia, and other hand-related problems. Most notably, he has developed removable, adjustable key extensions which convent an inline G flute to an offset G flute. His current projects include:
Oboe & Clarinet - creating custom tone-hole modifications to improve tuning and note clarity
Saxophone - Creating tone-hole inserts to improve tuning
Flute - Adaptive head joint embouchure cutting and customer key work on left hand keys to help with hand and wrist problems .If you have any tuning concerns or unique problems with your instrument, Jeff will help you find a solution.

JEFF AND HIS CUSTOM DESIGNED INSTRUMENTS

Robert Asman, Violin Shop Manager – Years of Experience: 36
(920) 734-1969 ext. 134

Robert has been a luthier for over thirty years. In 1975 he started his training at Gilmour Brothers Music in Saginaw Michigan. When Gilmour Brothers moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, Robert joined them. Renting a portion of Gilmour Brothers store he started his own String Shop specializing in string repair and selling of vintage instruments in the violin family.

In 1994 Gilmour Brothers Music was acquired by Heid Music Company. At this time Heid Music hired Robert to manage string sales and repair in their new Violin Shop. With decades of experience selling and repairing literally thousands of instruments, Robert has the skill and knowledge to professionally perform any of your repair needs.

Ron Polum, Shop Floor Manager – Years of Experience: 35
(715) 423-1000

Ron began repairing in 1971 while still in high school. He worked for Speltz Music in Wisconsin Rapids and apprenticed under a master technician for five years. After that time, he became manager of their repair operations. In 1987, Heid acquired the holdings of Speltz Music and welcomed Ron into the Heid Music family.

Ron is the store manager as well as head repairman. He has been a continuous member of NAPIRT since 1980 and is a master technician, having trained several apprentices. He is continually learning, developing, and perfecting the latest technology in instrument repair.

Tim Arendt, Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 25
(920) 734-1969 ext. 112

Tim is a 1986 graduate of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical (RedWing). After graduating from college, Tim went to Tucson, AZ to work for Muller Music Center. While there, he ran a repair shop and enjoyed the sun. After missing the four seasons, in fall of 1988, he returned to Wisconsin (and his roots) to work for the G. LeBlanc Corporation at the Frank Holton plant in Elkhorn, WI. In fall of 1990, he received a phone call from Paul Heid to join the Heid Music team. Since then, he has been specializing in woodwind repairs and has also become the company safety director.

In Tim's spare time, he enjoys time with his wife, three sons and one daughter. His hobbies include long bike rides and enjoying the outdoors.

Peter Krautkramer, Luthier – Years of Experience: 17
(920) 734-1969 ext. 132

Peter began his apprenticeship in string instrument repair and restoration at Heid Music in 1994. After his initial training, Peter moved to southern Wisconsin. He became the sole luthier at White House of Music in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1997.

In the fall of 1999, he returned to his home in the Fox Valley, and to Heid Music. His duties currently include repair and restoration of violins, violas, cellos, basses, and harps. Peter also enjoys assisting customers with the trial and selection of string instruments. Peter specializes in: Bridge Fitting, Crack repair and restoration, Resolution of setup and adjustment issues, Harp repair.

Troy Haumschild, Shop Manager – Years of Experience: 13
(920) 498-2228

Troy Haumschild began working at Heid Music in 1993. He came to us as a graduate of the band instrument repair course at Red Wing-Winona Technical College. Since graduation Troy has received additional training at Heid Music, as well as attending two national repair conventions and three regional seminars hosted by NAPBIRT.

In 2000, Troy relocated to our Green Bay store. He is the sole technician at our repair facility there. Troy handles all brass and woodwind instrument repairs as well as evaluations and appraisals. He also assists with band instrument sales.

Robert Rewalt, Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 10

After years of repairing his friends and his own guitars, Bob pursued his passion for guitar repair and taught himself through many reputable books and work with many masters of the trade. Before coming to Heid Music in 2011, Bob worked for another local independent retailer as their guitar repair specialist for 6 years. Prior to that, Bob repaired guitars out of his home for many local musicians. Bob loves to set-up guitars and tailor them to the individual player - making the instrument perfect for the musician playing it. In his spare time, Bob plays lead guitar for many local bands and also enjoys spending time on his motorcycle, camping and fishing. Come visit Bob, many come from hundreds of miles to work with him!

Chris Felts, Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 3

Chris Felts began his formal music education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. While a student there, he performed in numerous ensembles and received several awards for scholarship and musical performance including the Honor's Recitalist Award in 2006. He then attended Minnesota State Southeast Technical College in Red Wing, where he earned a diploma in Band Instrument Repair. A firm believer in continuing education, he is a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) and actively seeks out new repair methods and concepts.

Always an avid musician, Chris is a member of several music groups based out of the Fox Valley including Men In Suits and the Big Band Reunion. He performs on saxophones and other woodwinds in every conceivable musical style.

Chris is proud to teach private saxophone lessons at our Appleton store, allowing him to have a real impact on individual's musical growth. He prides himself in tailoring his instruction to fit the particular needs and goals of each specific student. Chris enjoys teaching saxophone students of all skill levels.

Alex Yates, Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 3

Alex Yates began his repair career right out of high school by attending Minnesota State Collage Southeast Technical in Red Wing MN and attained his diploma in Band Instrument Repair. Since then he has continued his repair training with an apprenticeship and additional detailed training under the master repair technicians at Heid Music. Alex is also a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) and has attended several national conventions.

When Alex is not repairing instruments he enjoys being out in the garage working on anything from cars to lawnmowers. He has been working on small engines as a hobby since he was young and rarely turns down a new project. He also plays bass guitar in the worship band for Calvary Bible Church in Neenah.

Luke Lorbeki, Repair Technician – Years of Experience: 3

Luke Lorbecki began his career at Heid Music in 2000 in the Shipping and Receiving Department. He spent 8 years as the Purchasing Manager for the combo department. For the last 3 years, Luke has been apprenticing our skilled repair technicians in our Appleton repair shop. Luke specializes in brass repairs and finds the process of making something unplayable playable again highly rewarding.

Always an avid musician, Luke is a bass player in two local bands, Men in Suits and Machine Gun Joe. He also enjoys graphic design and film editing.