A Note From "Staff"
We understand that purchasing an instrument is an investment for many years to come. There are many things to consider to ensure that you are selecting the right one for your needs. Allow us to assist you and take the trouble out of making the decision! Our trained instrument specialists are happy to offer advice to keep you happy for years to come with your selected instrument. Contact us to see how we can help you!
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Meet the Team
Jeff Marshak
Oboe Department
Jeff Marshak
Oboe Specialist
A native of Dayton, Ohio Jeff comes to MMI with more than 20 years of oboe experience. Jeff maintains an active performance career in and around the Twin Cities. Before arriving in Minnesota, he has performed with the Kentucky Symphony, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Westmoreland Symphony and in the Twin Cities performs regularly with the Quad City Symphony, The Duluth Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and currently holds the position of 2nd oboe/English horn with the Minnesota Opera. His performance career has also lead him to fellowships with several summer music festivals including the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Opera Theater and Orchestra festival of Lucca, and the National Orchestral Institute. He also has extensive experience as a pit orchestra musician including performances with the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Arnoff Theater, Pittsburgh Playhouse, and Bloomington Civic Theater. Jeff has a BM from Wright State University in Dayton, OH, a MM from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH, a Performance Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and a DMA from the University of Minnesota. His primary teachers include Dr. Mark Ostoich, Dwight Parry, Cynthia Koledo-DeAlmeida, and John Snow.
Jessica Nelson
Bassoon Department, General Manager
Jessica Nelson
Bassoon Specialist and General Manager
Jessica holds a degree in bassoon and piano performance from the University of Minnesota, Morris where she studied bassoon with Russell Peterson. After graduating from UMM, she lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil for 5 years and studied at the Universidade Livre de Musica with Alexandre Silverio. During this time, she was also bassoonist in the Orquestra Experimental de Repertorio and the Cubatao Symphonic Band. She has participated in masterclasses and festivals with: Alfonso Venturieri, Bill Buchman, Oleksiy Tkachuk, Fabio Cury, and Benjamin Coelho. Currently, Jessica is a member of the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra where she also serves as treasurer on the board of directors. She maintains a private teaching studio at her home in Minneapolis and also at Cadenza Music in St. Paul.
Tori Okwabi, D.M.
Clarinet & Saxophone Department
Tori Okwabi, D.M.
Clarinet Specialist
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Tori joins MMI with more than 25 years of clarinet experience. Tori is an active performer and educator who regularly attends national and international music festivals where she serves as a clinician and guest performer. She is the principal clarinetist of the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra where she won the 2015 WSO Concerto Competition. As an educator Tori maintains a private teaching studio in Minneapolis and Eden Prairie and loves teaching students of all levels--from beginners to adults. She received a Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Florida State University, a Master of Music from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin. She has studied under the tutelage of Frank Kowalsky, Elsa-Ludwig-Verdehr, Deborah Bish, Nathan Williams and Linda Bartley.
Caleb Rassmusson
Repair Department
Caleb Rassmusson
Instrument Repair Technician
Caleb Rassmusson has been repairing instruments professionally since graduating from Minnesota State College SE Tech in 2013. After graduation, he began working at Coles Music Service in southern New Jersey where he honed skills working with both brass and woodwind instruments. After two years, he began repairing at Brook Mays in Dallas, Texas. While he still repaired all instruments he focused most of his time on repairing saxophones and clarinets. In July of 2016 he joined the repair staff at MMI. When he is not repairing instruments you can find him exploring the Twin Cities, tinkering on cars and motorcycles, or belting out Aerosmith at karaoke bars.
Brandon Wozniak
Clarinet & Saxophone Department
Brandon Wozniak
Saxophone and Clarinet Specialist
One of Minnesota’s most exciting saxophonists, Brandon returned to the twin cities in 2006 after six years in New York City and a six month stint in Shanghai, China. Wozniak studied music at Indiana University with David Baker and privately with Tom Walsh. Brandon performs regularly with Dave King’s (Bad Plus, Happy Apple drummer) Dave King Trucking Company with saxophonist Chris Speed, the Atlantis Quartet (City Pages Best Jazz Artist 2011, Star Tribune Best Jazz Artist 2012), the great drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt (Weather Report, McCoy Tyner), Bryan Nichols Quintet, Chris Bates Red 5 plus others. Brandon has also performed with singer Nellie McKay, toured with the Tommy Dorsey Jazz Orchestra and shared the stage with organ great Dr. Lonnie Smith and guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg.
Eric Anderson
Repair Department
Eric Anderson
Instrument Repair Technician
Eric Anderson graduated with a degree in musical instrument repair in 2005 from Minnesota State College SE tech. He has been repairing wind instruments since, with a primary focus in Bassoon and Oboe. As a member of NAPBIRT, he continues to further the education of his career, by attending annual conferences and sharing knowledge and techniques amongst other technicians in the craft. His support of music on a local and national level is a driving factor for both his professional and personal life.
Allen Mannes
Repair Department
Allen Mannes
Instrument Repair Technician
Allen Mannes attended Waldorf University and received his B.S. in Music Education in 2011. After teaching beginning band for 3 years he returned to school at Minnesota State College SE Tech to pursue a career in instrument repair. Upon receiving his diploma from SE Tech Allen began his career at Midwest Musical Imports. Allen enjoys learning and is thrilled to be working with the wonderful technicians at MMI. Allen is an avid MPR listener, an enthusiast of random facts, and in his free time is learning how to make trumpet bells.
Steven Maijala
Oboe Department
Steven Maijala
Oboe Specialist
Steven Maijala is oboist and English hornist with the Chippewa Valley Symphony and Eau Claire Chamber Orchestras, both located in northern Wisconsin. His major teachers include Peter Cooper, Anna Mattix, Christa Garvey, and Leonid Sirotkin. He holds a masters degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and dual bachelors degrees in oboe performance and biology from DePauw University. Steven has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. When he is not making reeds, performing, or helping customers at MMI, Steven is an amateur potter; he also enjoys cooking, cross-country running, and rock climbing.
Matt Reich
Repair Department
Matt Reich
Instrument Repair Technician
Matt Reich is a native of Milbank South Dakota and 1983 graduate of South Dakota State University with a Music Education Degree. After service in the US Army in 1987, Matt began a career in the music retail industry throughout Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and now Minnesota. Matt graduated from Redwing Technical College (Minnesota State College Southeast Tech) with a Band Instrument Repair Diploma in 1998 and has been behind the bench turning a screwdriver ever since. Matt is a member in good standing of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT).
Katie Bauernfeind
Bassoon Department
Katie Bauernfeind
Bassoon Specialist
A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Katie joins MMI with 13 years of bassoon experience. Katie completed her Master of Music degree and Performer Diploma at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Her major teachers include Kathleen McLean, John Miller, and Norbert Nielubowksi. Katie has performed with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Reimagining Opera for Kids. When Katie doesn’t have a bassoon in her hands, she enjoys reading, cycling and sailing.
