Jeff Weissman, President and Founder Jeff Weissman, President and Founder of Weissman Music, has been a leader and influential force in the flute industry for over 35 years. With two locations in New York (Queens and Manhattan), he is proud to head the largest professional flute shop in the United States with unprecedented customer service. Weissman Music provides every flutist a vast selection of only the finest professional (and pre-professional) flutes and piccolos. Jeff's clientele not only include loyal customers in the United States but stretch across the globe with visitors from nearly every continent.
About twenty five years ago, as a relative newcomer in the business, Jeff took a bold interest in piccolo making and his experimentation with exotic woods led to the creation of the Weissman Piccolo and his prominence in the world as a piccolo maker. His creativity did not stop there. Already regarded as one of the finest repair technicians in the world, Jeff partnered with long-time friend and colleague Chris McKenna to create the Weissman-McKenna piccolo and the Organic Fiber Fusion process. The result was a truly unique design that focused on projection coupled with rich, full and beautiful sound.
Throughout the years, Jeff has played a vital role in the advancement of flute and piccolo making technology. His innovative ideas led to new industry standards in flute design including the Weissman Model handmade Haynes flute. In recent years, Jeff created his own line of flutes which include the hugely popular Sedona flute and the exciting new Weissman-McKenna flute.
As a flutist, Jeff has toured with The USO (United Service Organizations) across the United States and Europe, performed on stage in various musical and vocal acts, was the Principal Flutist of the Great Neck Philharmonic and Assistant Principal Flutist of the Queensborough Symphony. He also gives several master classes (flute playing technique and repair) throughout the year which attracts attendees from all over the world. When time allows, Jeff offers private instruction. His primary flute teachers included Harold Bennett, Andrew Lolya and John Wion.
When Jeff's not busy creating and repairing flutes and piccolos, running his business and picking up clients from the airport, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and playing the guitar.
Dr. Elizabeth Weissman, Vice President of Marketing Beth is a proud native Texan. She joined the Weissman team after teaching full-time at BYU for five years. She is also a member of the Madeleine Trio and the Utah Regional Ballet Orchestra.
Beth earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Brigham Young University and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas.
Chris McKenna, President of McKenna Flutes and
General Manager of Weissman-McKenna World Wide
Chris McKenna is a highly distinguished flute maker and inventor. His innovative contributions to the flute industry for the last 30 years are recognized by almost every major flute company in the world including Arista, Brannen, Burkart, Haynes, Powell and Williams Flutes. Chris' ingenious concepts on virtually every facet of flute design and manufacturing make him one of the most highly respected and revered flute makers of the 21st century.
Chris' talents extend to more distinctive areas of flute engineering and repair as well. His specialties include restoring bent and severely dented flutes and ancient and historic instruments. The inventor in Chris has led him to study unique materials such as porcelain, crystal, titanium, paper mache and exotic woods. The list doesn't stop there -- he's also created the handmade jewel crown, four different electric flute systems and MIDI flute controllers and developed the first Pitch to MIDI system for flutes.
As an artist, composer and musician, Chris has performed at the NFA convention, showcases, and private shows. He can be found on YouTube and other virtual locations. His showcase on Electronic Flute Techniques garners audiences from around the country.
Chris studied with members of the St. Louis and Boston Symphonies and attended Interlochen Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music.
Robert "Nadi" Holmes, Sales Consultant Robert, a.k.a "Nadi" is Creative Director and President of Sound & Light Productions (http://www.nadi-om.com) and hails from Harlem, New York. He has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Sun Ra, Laaraji, Iyanla Vanzant, and Batoto Yetu. His eclectic musical experiences, from Jazz, New Age, dance, theater and multimedia, bring new and inspiring dimensions to the flute.
Nadi's musical education includes New York City College, Long Island University, New England Conservatory and the Jazz Cultural Theater.
Ann McInerney, Senior Sales Consultant Ann McInerney joined the Weissman Music team in the early 90’s and is one of the company’s “MVPs.” A favorite with clients, she is recognized for her calm and patient manner when guiding flute players through the trial process. In Weissman Music style, Ann personifies genuine sincerity much like a teacher trying flutes with her student.
Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Ann’s passion for artistry and grace started at an early age as a classically trained ballet dancer. It wasn’t long before her interests expanded to music and ultimately in flute performance and education. Ann’s duties as a popular middle school teacher doesn’t keep her from her other responsibilities – aside from her role at Weissman Music, she also teaches private flute lessons, practices yoga and meditation and is a band member of the popular rock band Juicy Bruce (http://www.juicybruce.com/).
Ann received her Music Education degree from Crane School of Music and has recently earned her tenure as a music teacher in Herricks School District.
Luke Penella, Chief Technician and
Sales Consultant
Instruments Played: Haynes flute, Penella alto and tenor sax, Conn 10 M tenor sax, Selmer Mark VI alto sax, drums
Passionate music lover and sax player Luke Penella joined the Weissman Music team in 2008. The Boston native had been working for one of the most prestigious flute makers, Burkart flutes, when he decided to move to New York.
As a precocious young artist, Luke was sensitive to the subtleties in different instruments and other musicians' signature sounds. His inquisitive nature and inherent abilities resulted in his first repair on his own saxophone. Shortly after, Luke's professional career took off as a technician at a local music store.
In 2010, Jeff (Weissman) and Luke embarked on a partnership to create the Penella Saxophone -- the perfect marriage of precision, quality, sound and affordability. With Jeff's extensive design and manufacturing experience and Luke's intimate understanding of the sax, this "dynamic duo" plans to set a new benchmark in the sax industry.
Luke is currently a Hellcat recording artist and plays with ska heavy weights Westbound Train and the neo soul/hip hop band, Lifted Crew. He can also be heard on the popular "Guitar Hero, Encore Rocks the 80's" video game and has performed with such artists as Slick Rick, Esperanza Spalding, Sam Kinninger and Bryan Baker of Steps Ahead.
Luke attended the Berklee College of Music with a scholarship in music performance and has studied with Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Mick Goodrick, and Mitch Haupers.
