VIP Band & Orchestra Instrument Selection Event Preview

Get selection advice from manufacturer representatives!

Shane Deuel – Eastman Music Company

As many careers in the music industry begin, Shane Deuel’s started with the trumpet in the 6th grade band. After graduating with a degree in Music Education in 2002 from Western Michigan University, he became the Advertising Manager at the premier music educator magazine, The Instrumentalist, in Chicago. Lured by the great skiing, Shane and his wife moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he became a school representative for a local music store; a position held for over nine years. During that time, Shane grew to know and respect a line of musical instruments from the Eastman Music Company. In 2013, he became a Regional Sales Manager with Eastman Music Company, which includes the renowned brands of Eastman Strings, Andreas Eastman winds, Wm. S. Haynes flutes, and the S.E. Shires Brass Company.

Sophie Rojas – Conn-Selmer Inc.

Sophie Rojas is the District Sales Manager for Conn-Selmer Inc, which is the largest manufacturer of American made Instruments, and the US distributor for Selmer Paris and Yanagisawa. Covering the Central Midwest territory, she serves the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Prior to her position with Conn-Selmer, she worked for 15 years as store manager of a retail music store in Kansas City, MO. There she gained her experience and extensive product knowledge of a wide range of musical instrument manufacturers and leading products. She received a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from The University of Central Missouri. She has always been active in music, playing piano, percussion, and choir.

Dan Holm – KHS America

Growing up in Alexandria, MN, Dan Holm learned to play violin in elementary school, and learned to play guitar and bass while working at the local music store in high school. Dan graduated with a Sales and Marketing degree from the local community college, and began working at Carlson Music in Alexandria, eventually becoming a full-time School Music Representative, partnering with Bridge of Harmony Music. Dan spent 10 years specializing in school music with band and orchestra in central Minnesota.

Dan became the District Sales Manager for the Midwest at KHS (Jupiter Band Instruments) in 1994. Today he represents products including: Jupiter Winds, XO Professional, Azumi and Altus flutes, Sonar Orff, Hercules stands, Mapex Marching Drums, and Majestic concert percussion.

Toby Thomas – Yamaha Corporation of America

Toby Thomas is the District Sales Manager for Yamaha Corporation of America. His territory covers the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Before joining the Yamaha B&O team, Toby worked as an educational representative for Kidder Music Services, Inc, a school service music dealer in central Illinois. Prior to that, he taught 5-12 instrumental music for a number of years. Through both teaching and supporting educators through his role as educational representative, Toby has gained an in-depth knowledge of the products necessary for success in music. As a performing saxophonist in both jazz and classical styles, he has also developed a passion for music that he is eager to share. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, and a Master of Music Performance (Saxophone) degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.