From our family to yours.
MEET OUR TEAM
Phil Marsh has taught jazz guitar at Muskegon Community College, Hope College, and Grand Valley State University. In addition to teaching, Phil enjoys playing professionally in diverse settings, including his band, The Hip Pocket, a popular West Michigan funk band.
Phil majored in music at Muskegon Community College for two years while simultaneously studying classical guitar at Grand Valley State University with Guillermo Feirens. After attending MCC, he studied guitar at The Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA.
Phil Marsh
Head of School Services, Guitar Instructor
get in touch with Phil:
PHIL@WESTMIchiganBAND.COM
A seasoned educator and performer, Mike has been sharing the joy of music in the Grand Rapids area for over twenty-five years. He holds both his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters in Saxophone Performance from Central Michigan University, and has performed with a wide range of internationally acclaimed musicians that include Jon Faddis, The Temptations, Louis Bellson, and Maria Schneider.
Michael currently serves as the applied saxophone professor at Grand Rapids Community College while maintaining an active private studio and performance schedule.
Mike Michewicz
Vice President, Saxophone & Wind Instructor
get in touch with MIKE:
michewiczmichael@gmail.com
Ben Piela graduated from the trumpet studio at Western Michigan University. He received his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and is looking forward to making music with as many people as possible. Ben has played with many ensembles in and outside of school, including Big Bands, Latin Soul groups, Symphonic and Pit Orchestras, Brass Quintets, and more.
His favorite part about working at WMBI is the ability to be around other musically-minded folks, as well as having the opportunity to provide 1:1 lessons, professional-level instruments, and the best customer service available.
Benjamin Piela
Sales Manager, Trumpet Instructor
get in touch with ben:
pielabenjaminj@gmail.com
get in touch with KRISTI:
westmiband@icloud.com
Kristi has been with WMBI since the beginning and handles all aspect of customer service, including invoicing, phone calls, inventory, and office work...she really does it all!
Her favorite part about working at WMBI is being with family and meeting and serving new people. Kristi enjoys being able to help families by donating instruments and services.
Kristi Didaskalou
Accounts & Billing
get in touch with Dillon:
dillon@westmichiganband.com
Dillon has been working at WMBI since the beginning and loves every minute of it. He finds that working with his family is not only enjoyable, but also makes him want to come to work every day to see them.
Dillon appreciates the fact that WMBI is able to work hand in hand with the customers, and seeing them walk away with a smile is always the best.
Dillon Gates
General Manager
Joyce received her Bachelor's in Music Education from WMU in 1988, and retired from Northview High School after directing bands for 33 years. She joined the WMBI team last summer and loves working with students, and has enjoyed providing school service for their families as well as band and orchestra directors.
She loves spending time with her husband, Tim, and five children who are the light of her life: Tim & his wife, Maggie, Shelby, Melody and Joey. When Joyce isn't at WMBI, her favorite activities include hiking, reading at the beach, catching sunsets and creating things with power tools.
Joyce Antel
Sales Representative
get in touch with JOYCe:
joyce@westmichiganband.com
Micah is our jack of all trades, from delivering repairs to schools, picking up repairs from schools, working the front desk and handling phone calls.
His favorite part of working at West Michigan Band is the family atmosphere - specifically working alongside with his uncles, mom, and favorite brother, Dillon, as well as the repair men and teachers here.
Micah Gates
Building & Operations
get in touch with micah:
westmiband@icloud.com
Sammie has been with WMBI for eight years, and serves in a variety of different roles that include billing, inventory and stocking, and purchasing supplies!
She enjoys alongside of her mom, Kristi, and brothers, Micah and Dillon, and appreciates the flexibility it offers so she can spend time with her husband and two children.
Samantha Harder
Accounts & Billing,
Inventory & Stocking
get in touch with SAMMIE:
WESTMIBAND@icloud.COM
Will is a freshman trumpeter majoring in Music Education at Western Michigan University. At WMBI, Will helps by packing instruments and providing exceptional customer service.
Will has served as first trumpet in the Rockford High School marching, concert, and jazz bands, and enjoys skiing in his free time.
Will Male
Sales Representative
get in touch with will:
westmiband@icloud.com
A versatile performer & educator, Mei Lin is a senior piano performance and pedagogy major at Grand Valley State University and holds her Associate of Music Education from Grand Rapids Community College.
Since 2018, Mei Lin has been teaching students from age four to forty, and is passionate about creating a joy-filled and welcoming experience for everyone who walks through her studio door. She enjoys collaborating with jazz, wind, string, and choral ensembles, and has served as a dance accompanist for the professional troupe at the Grand Rapids Ballet.
Mei Lin Wooden
Graphic Design & Marketing,
Piano Instructor
get in touch with mei lin:
meilinwooden@gmail.COM
