Sue Shockey Our Flute & Piccolo Specialist
Sue has had a long personal interest, curiosity and involvement with music. Her professional career began upon receiving a BA in Music Education from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. The Music Education field led her to Sioux City, Iowa to pursue a course of study in musical instrument repair. Sue went to Iowa to develop a “career option” and came away with a respect and a passion for the craftsmanship of musical instruments. She also had the good fortune of furthering her flute studies with Diana Cherry at the University of South Dakota.
"Handcrafted instruments deserve the very highest level of care. Each instrument that is selected for your consideration is thoroughly examined prior
to shipment."
Her first repair job took Sue to Southern Ohio, where she was once again able to continue her flute education, this time with Kenneth Andrews at Ohio University. Ken also introduced her to his friend David Straubinger of Indianapolis. David is well known for his beautiful hand made flutes as well as being the inventor of special pads for the instrument. This introduction began a friendship and a mentoring relationship that continues to this day.
Sue moved to South Bend, Indiana in 1987 to establish a repair shop at the Woodwind and Brasswind. Among the many challenges and opportunities in South Bend, she has been particularly fortunate to work with another flute maker and innovator, George Opperman. From George she learned the art of building a flute, from design aspects to hand crafting many of the individual parts. She has also greatly enjoyed training and expanding the repair staff at the Woodwind, as well as meeting and working with many many wonderful people.
Ryan Claus Our Bassoon & Oboe Specialist
Ryan has worked at the Woodwind and Brasswind since 2001. In that time, he has worked in the repair shop doing everything from play testing new instruments to professionally overhauling woodwind instruments.
"Nuances and details that make an instrument truly special are considered and addressed. The final test is the performance"
In preparation for his new Custom Select position, Ryan has been trained at both the Fox and Püchner factories. He spent time learning how these companies build their fine instruments, and how to repair them. At the Püchner factory, Ryan also had the fun task of personally choosing the instruments for the Custom Select stock.
Before coming to the Woodwind, Ryan worked as a tester for the Selmer Company and was introduced to the world of instrument manufacturing and repair. Ryan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Multiple Woodwind Performance from the Indiana University School of Music in 1997.
His passion is musical theatre and since 1997 has served as the Orchestra Manager and woodwind player for the Round Barn Theatre in Nappanee, Indiana. Here he regularly doubles on all of the woodwind instruments, but he finds himself being called upon to play everything from the bagpipes to the accordion depending on the show.