Meet our Repair Staff
Brian Sjoerdinga
Woodwind Repair Department Manager, Brian Sjoerdinga is a musician with considerable professional experience. As a woodwind player within a variety of contexts, Brian worked with many well-known artists including 2 years with Buddy Rich, 2+ years with Buddy Morrow, tours with Artie Shaw, Stan Kenton, and performances with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, and many others. His work with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, and Phoenix Symphony shows his versatility.
Brian also has considerable experience as an educator of woodwind instruments and jazz studies most notably for 4 years at Arizona State Univ. and 2 years as instructor of Saxophone at Northeastern Illinois University.
Brian has been repairing woodwind instruments at PM Music Center since 1999, is a member of NAPBIRT, and continues his performance career in the Chicagoland area.
Matt Valenzeno
Brass Repair Department Manager, Matt Valenzeno is a former high school band director and accomplished trumpet performer. He has a Bachelor of Music Education with emphasis in Instrumental Music from the University of Kansas. His continued contributions to the Catholic Church Youth Choir and music services as a trumpet player has made him an irreplacable part of the community.
He and his wife Sarah are both a vital part of the PM Music Center family. Both are alum of the University of Kansas and supporters of the KU Jayhawks.
Matt has been with PM Music Center since 2006, is a member of NAPBIRT and has an extensive background in brass repair.
Richard Hoffman
Richard brings an interesting and diverse background to the PM Music Repair Shop. After leaving a successful career in finance, Richard decided to make a hobby his profession.
Richard began his hobby, hand-making classical guitars in 1974. His guitars are professional-grade instruments and are available at the PM Music online store. In that time, he also has been repairing string instruments of all kinds. Since joining PM Music he has completed additional training in repair and refinishing work.
Richard joined PM Music in 2008, is currently the Manager of all string repairs and is a member of NAPBIRT. He plays the classical guitar and lives in the west suburbs with his wife Janice.