Meet Our Staff

Don Sawday is a professional trombone player in the Southern California area and an expert repair technician in all band and orchestral instruments. He is a licensed Straubinger dealer through his apprenticeship with Mr. Straubinger. He also studied with Larry Minick and Bob Malone. Don is the founder and current trombonist and euphonium player with the Pacific Brass Ensemble.

Kurt Holmes received his bachelor's degree and teaching credential in music education while playing clarinet at California State University, Fullerton. Kurt currently teaches music at Wilson High School in Long Beach.

Freddy Sanchez our instrument polisher and buffer, is a gem among gems. He polishes and cleans all of the instruments brought in for repair, returning them to their former glory. Fred has been buffing musical instruments for fourteen years.

Dwight Martin begin playing trumpet 29 years ago. He was a music major at CSUF. Dwight also spent five years as a private trumpet instructor and ten years as a professional trumpet player. He began repairing brass instruments eleven years ago and spent three years building horns at Kanstul Musical Instruments in Anaheim, Ca. Dwight is also the webmaster of this site.

Eric Dvorak is one of our woodwind repair techs. He has been repairing horns for seven years.

Dave Parks is a student at CSULB and repairs woodwinds part time.

Juan Salazar has been a music store manager for eight years. He is always ready to answer any of your questions and offer you the best deal in town. Juan is our Internet sales contact, as well.

Matt Brislawn has worked for Sawday and Holmes Music for four years. He is active as both a working musician and instructor. Matt is mainly a violinist but also plays traditional Irish fiddle as well as playing and teaching mandolin, guitar, and banjo.

Chris Ibarra is our newest employee and is learning the buffing trade from Fred.