MEET THE TEAM

Together, we have a combined experience of over 275 years serving musicians and educators. Every member of the Midbell Music team has a passion for music – both in our careers and our extracurricular activities. We understand the needs of musicians, instructors, students and families and provide unparalleled service for musicians and their instruments. Through our active involvement in the Siouxland community, Ray's Midbell Music has become a trusted friend, partner, and resource in the local music scene.   

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

JOSH TACKETT - educational rep & sales manager

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext. 22 | Email


About Josh: Josh Tackett has been serving the guests of Midbell Music since 2002. In addition to assisting in sales and rentals at our Sioux City store, Josh serves as an Educational Service Representative. He has a degree in Commercial Music & Recording from Missouri Western State College. Josh currently is a piano player with his worship band at church and his musical background also includes trumpet and other brass instruments, bass guitar and sound board work. Away from work Josh enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and three children. 

CHRIS SAWYER

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext. 23 | Email


About Chris: Chris Sawyer has been an Educational Service Representative at Ray's Midbell Music since 2007. With 5 years of band instructing experience, a degree in music education and years of experience as an accomplished brass player, Chris is perfectly suited to work closely with music educators throughout Siouxland and to act as a valued resource for the schools he serves. Chris works closely with schools in western Iowa, such as Le Mars and Sioux Center, eastern Nebraska, including Wayne and Pender, and southeast South Dakota, in Yankton, Vermillion and other nearby towns. A native of Sioux City and Morningside College graduate, Chris and his wife Kara are the proud parents of Hannah, Nicolas, and Maddalynne. When he isn't working or playing with the kids, Chris spends time perfecting his grilling and barbecuing skills.

LEARNING CENTER

MICHAEL ZELLMER-MCMAHAN - EDUCATION COORDINATOR 

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext. 11 | Email

About Michael: Michael is a graduate of Briar Cliff University with a degree in Music and Art. Michael participated in the jazz ensemble on tenor saxophone, sang in the Briar Cliff Chamber Choir and Cliff Singers and studied piano with Dr. Richard Steinbach and voice with Mrs. Shannon Salyards-Burton. In his spare time, Michael enjoys hiking and spending time with his husband and two dogs, Elsie and Benny.

SERVICE

WHITNEY TURNER - SERVICE MANAGER

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 19 | Email


About Whitney: Whitney Turner is the Service Manager at Midbell Music. She has a degree in Band Instrument Repair and has intermediate playing proficiency on guitar and all wind instruments. Whitney's been a part of the organization since 2001 and uses her professional training and personal playing experience to provide Midbell and our guests with valuable service. Whitney has a passion for figuring out how things work and solving mechanical issues, which has proven to be an asset in the field of repair. She is a member of the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians and enjoys staying knowledgeable on the latest techniques available. A native of Corinth, Mississippi, Whitney enjoys many hobbies including biking, hiking, snowshoeing, disc golf, geocaching, and kayaking.

KAITI KOEL - TROMBONE REPAIR SPECIALIST

 

About Kaiti: Kaitlin Koel puts her AAS Degree in Band Instrument Repair Technology from Western Iowa Tech to good use every day, as a Ray's Midbell Music Band Instrument Repair Technician. She continues her training as a member of the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT). Kaiti grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa and has been a part of the Midbell family since 2009. Her musical performance skills include guitar, bass, and piano. She regularly participates in her church music group and attends jam sessions with friends. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, gaming, creating costumes, and is currently training to become a modern shieldmaiden.

RONJA JUNG - ORCHESTRA SPECIALIST

 

About Ronja: Ronja Jung has been a band and orchestra technician at Ray's Midbell Music since 2014. She holds an AAS degree in Band Instrument Repair from Western Iowa Tech, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Master of Music Studies degrees from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Ronja has a passion for orchestral instrument repair. She has logged many hours as an apprentice and traveled to a workshop in New York City to study for several days with high level technicians in the legendary Kolstein Bass Shop. Her primary instruments are the oboe and violin. She enjoys performing with the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and various other community groups. She is an active member of the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT). In her free time, Ronja can be found traveling, spelunking, or enjoying her aquarium hobby.

PHIL CARLIN - FRETTED REPAIR



About Phil: Phil Carlin provides guitar repair work at Ray's Midbell Music. Phil's been a part of the Midbell team since 2007. His career highlights also include repair shop ownership, guitar manufacturer sales rep, and 15 years as a guitar teacher. Phil has played in local bands Stinger, Leafy Spurge, Family, Benny Barnes & Tradition, Celebrate, as well as others - but his nickname in local music circles is "Phil-in," so you never know what band he might show up with. Phil's been building his own guitars for nearly 40 years, enjoys baseball almost as much as guitar playing and also spends time with son Jonathan, daughter Brittani and pursuing his hobbies of art, drawing, sports and songwriting.

ADMINISTRATION

JANE MERRITT - ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 17 | Email


About Jane: Jane has been with Midbell since November 2013. She came to us with over 30 years of Accounting and Taxation experience. Jane holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta and earned a Master of Science in Business Administrative Sciences at Iowa State. Jane was an active band member through high school, playing clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe & bassoon. She also sang in various choirs throughout her undergraduate years. Jane and her husband Steve have two grown children who were both active in local school bands. She was a consumer at Midbell for many years before she became an employee. In her spare time, Jane and Steve enjoy spending time with the local corvette club and traveling with friends and family.

BRENDA SMITH - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 15 | Email


About Brenda: Brenda Smith has handled Accounts Receivable for Midbell Music since 2010. She received her training at Spencer School of Business and is a native of Salix, Iowa. Brenda's music background includes clarinet and piano, high school jazz and concert bands. Outside of work, Brenda enjoys walking with her dog & being with her 2 sons as much as she can.

TIM BARRETT - INTERNET & MARKETING MANAGER

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 13 | Email


About Tim: Tim Barrett has been with Midbell since 2000 and handles the company's internet and marketing duties. In his Internet & Marketing Manager role, Tim oversees the company website, marketing and advertising. Throughout the year, Tim also assists in rentals, sales, and guest support. He holds a degree in Business Marketing Management from WITCC and has a music background that includes playing the clarinet, saxophone and tuba. Tim regularly performs with Tuba Christmas in both Sioux City, IA and Omaha, NE and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. Tim's spare time interests include hockey, watching his kids compete in sports, videography and home improvement. 

CORY BIRCH - WAREHOUSE & PURCHASING

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 18 | Email


About Cory: Cory Birch has been with Midbell since 2010 and is involved in our warehouse and purchasing/receiving departments as well as teaching drum set lessons. Cory has his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in Music Merchandising and is an accomplished percussionist. Much of Cory's musical interest comes from his father Bob Birch, who has played bass in many local bands. Cory has performed with multiple programs while in school and currently plays with Sioux City groups Canadian Stranger, Acoustic Duo Bankey + Birch, as well as Sioux Falls music group, Massive Brass Attack.  Cory's spare time interests include listening to music, watching Netflix, and playing video games.

MIKE GUNTREN - PRESIDENT

Phone: (712) 274-4600 ext . 20 | Email


About Mike: Mike Guntren serves as President of Ray's Midbell Music. A native of Sioux City, Mike has worked at Midbell since the late 90s and holds a degree in music from Morningside College. He got his start at Midbell as an Educational Service Representative in 1997, assumed General Manager duties in 2003, and became President in 2016. Mike is married to LeAnn and they have 3 daughters; Sophia, Lily and Holly. He enjoys cycling, fishing, playing music and spending time with his family.

RAY GUNTREN - FOUNDER


About Ray: Ray got his start in his hometown Storm Lake store as an apprentice technician, before advancing to the Branch Manager position when the new Sioux City store opened in 1972. Ray has served as an executive, workshop presenter and panelist for leading music organizations, such as  NAMM, NASMD, and IASMD. Ray has enjoyed playing guitar and bass guitar in numerous Siouxland groups over the years, spanning the musical spectrum from jazz, big band, and orchestras, to church ensembles and rock & roll duos. Karen is Ray's wife and business partner. They have 3 children and 5 granddaughters.