About KBI Music Shoppe

Email: [email protected]

Position: Owner and Repair Technician

Start Date: KBI’s founding – April 2009

Training and/or education:
Red Wing Technical College Certification ‘96
BA in Criminal Justice from Chapman University ‘01
MA in Human Resource Management from Webster University ‘08
Project Management Professional Certification ‘11

Where are you from originally?
Titusville, FL

What is your primary instrument?
Kazoo & Mouth Harp (Trumpet)

What do you enjoy most about being a technician?
It brings out the closet engineer in me!

What is the most unusual repair you’ve dealt with?
 Cleaning the refractor base for a UVA telescope. While not an instrument, they requested the cleaning services that we provide here at the store. Instrument wise, it must be the metal clarinets and C melody saxophones the most unusual instruments out there.

What is your most memorable musical experience?
Performing the 50Th Anniversary Ceremonies for WWII Battles throughout the Pacific Southwest as a Marine Musician in 1992.

Email: [email protected]

Position: Owner and School Instrument Pickup and Drop-off Coordinator

Start Date: KBI’s founding – April 2009

Training and/or education:
BS in Marketing UNCG

Ricia is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNCG and spent 10 years as a flight attendant with USAirways. As a Marine Corps spouse she had the privilege of helping other spouses as a Readiness and Deployment Specialist for Marine Corps Family Team Building. She is now the business owner for KBI Music Shoppe and coordinates the pick up and drop off of instruments with the schools and individuals. She also handles all of the rental agreements and works with vendors to ensure that parts and accessories are available.

Ricia King and KBI Music Shoppe are members of NASMD - National Association of School Music Dealers and NAMM - National Association of Music Merchants.

Ricia was on the NASMD Board of Directors 2017-2019

Email: [email protected]

Position: Repair Shop Manager and Repair Technician

Start Date: June 2, 2015

Training and/or education:
BA in Music Education with emphasis in Flute from JMU ‘14
AAS in Band Instrument Repair from Red Wing Southeast Technical College ‘15
Certification in String Instrument Repair from the NAPBIRT University

Where are you from originally?
Herndon, VA

What is your primary instrument?
Flute and Piccolo

What do you enjoy most about being a technician?
I love being a part of making music accessible to all players. I have always wanted to serve my community in a capacity that made a difference to young musicians. Here at KBI I feel like I can help make that happen.

What is the most unusual repair you’ve dealt with?
One of the most unusual repairs I’ve experienced is when a school sent in a fiberglass sousaphone stating, “it smells like something died inside”. As it turns out, they were not wrong! During the cleaning process we discovered a dead mouse inside. IT WAS GROSS. I highly suggest cases for all your instruments.

What is your most memorable musical experience?
I was extremely fortunate to have many amazing musical experiences while I was at JMU, but I would have to say my most memorable musical experience was at the Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, MN. Every year on Halloween the theater plays the silent movie version of the Phantom of the Opera. A local organist came and improvised music on the theater’s organ for the entire movie. It was amazing to me that someone had such skill on a difficult instrument, and that they were able to take musical themes I recognized and intertwine them with the action in the movie.

Position: Repair Technician

Start Date: September 2021

Training and/or education:

BA in Music Education from Truman State University

MA in Music Education from Truman State University

25 years teaching band in Missouri

16 years repair experience before coming to KBI

Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Missouri, moved to VA in 2020

What is your primary instrument?
Trombone with lots of experience on tuba 

What do you enjoy most about music?
I enjoyed helping music students as a teacher and now helping music students as a repair tech.

What is your most memorable musical experience?
I appreciate  the times that former students told me how band positively influenced  their lives.

Position: Repair Assistant

Start Date: January 2019

Training and/or education: Currently pursuing Euphonium Performance degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Where are you from originally? Williamsburg, Virginia

What is your primary instrument? Euphonium

What do you enjoy most about music? I am very fortunate to be able to experience the joy of making music daily, whether it be as a solo performer or in an ensemble.

What is your most memorable musical experience? They are all meaningful in different ways and at different times!

Position: Front Counter Manager & Lesson Coordinator

Start Date: February 5, 2018

Training and/or education:
Music Industry with a focus on Trumpet- JMU 2010-2013
Business Administration AAS – Germanna Community College

Where are you from originally?
Nashua, New Hampshire

What is your primary instrument?
Trumpet

What do you enjoy most about music?
How it can bring so many people together. You can make connections with people you have never even met before with music. It is something that is all over the world and can make an impact no matter what language you speak, or if you are a musician or not. Music can also make you feel better!

What is your most memorable musical experience?
 Performing with the JMU Brass Band in at the Brucknerhaus in Linz, Austria at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in 2012. Not only did we get to explore Germany and Austria, and see places form the Sound of Music and the birthplaces of many accomplished artists, but I also got to meet many of the musicians and composers I have looked up to my whole life. It was incredible to see everyone come together in such an amazing venue to share their love of music.

Position: Sales Associate

Start Date: April 2015

Training and/or education:
Bachelor of Music Education – James Madison University
Master of Music in Music Education - VCU

Where are you from originally?
Adamstown, PA

What is your primary instrument?
French Horn

What do you enjoy most about music?
I love that music can evoke emotion. From wanting to dance and bringing joy to moving you to tears and giving you goose bumps. What is your most memorable musical experience? Watching my sons perform with the CNU Marching Captains and CNU Music Department. And seeing Billy Joel and Elton John in concert together. That was an amazing show!

Position: Sales Associate

Start Date: March 2021

Training and/or education:
Bachelor of Arts in music from UMW with a focus on Woodwinds, Trombone and Piano

Where are you from originally?
Fredericksburg, VA

What is your primary instrument?
Tenor Saxophone

What do you enjoy most about music?
It’s potential for creativity and individualistic expression that transcends all other forms of communication.

What is your most memorable musical experience?

Performing on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol for Governor Northam, and being a featured performer at UMW’s Jazz 4 Justice.

Position: Sales Associate

Start Date: September 2021

Training and/or education:
I am a 2021 graduate from Corban University in Salem, Oregon. I majored in General Music with a focus in Music Therapy.

Where are you from originally?
Viva Las Vegas

What is your primary instrument?
My primary is the flute!

What do you enjoy most about music?
The thing I love most about music is how it can connect people. It can bring all different kinds of people together and it is such a beautiful thing to me!

What is the most memorable music experience?
My most memorable musical experience was when I had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The ensemble I was a part of was debuting a new piece, Psalm 92. The story behind the piece was very impactful to many people and it was beautiful. The day of the performance was an amazing experience, and it was awesome seeing everyone in the ensemble beaming with joy!

Position: Road Representative

Start Date: 2016

Training and/or education:
Bachelor of Arts in Music (French Horn) from WVU
Master of Arts in Music (French Horn) from Duquesne University

Where are you from originally?
LaVale, MD

What is your primary instrument?
French Horn

What do you enjoy most about music?
Making friendships and great music.

What is the most memorable musical experience?
I can’t pick one!

1. Watching private students succeed
2. Playing with James Galway, Ron Perlman, Joshua Bell, and other Celebrities.
3. Soloing in Ireland
4. Listening to my Grandmother play and my Aunt Sing.