We can fix it!
Sometimes instruments need help. Whether they're totally broken or just in need of a check up, bring it into our shop and leave it in the hands of our repair shop pros. We have experienced repair staff on premise 6 days a week!
We Fix:
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Stuck Slides
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Damaged/Worn Pads
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Cork Replacement
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Broken Braces
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Dents
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Bent Keys
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Overhauls
We Offer:
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String Instrument set-up
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Woodwind and brass tune ups
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Bow rehairing
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String and bridge replacement
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Instrument overhauls
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Warranty Repair
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and more!
About Our Repair Shop
The Family Melody repair shop is unique compared to many others. Our technicians are not only highly skilled in repair and performance, they are all also trained and certified New York State music teachers. This gives the shop the unique advantage of knowing exactly what the needs of the teacher and student are when it comes to performing on their instruments. We keep that in mind as we diagnose and repair all instruments that come into the shop. We are also always here in the store to help with a quick fix and give any playing tips we can! We pride ourselves in quick, reliable and quality repairs that last.
Woodwind Technician and Repair Shop Manager Nick Gardell
Meet our repair shop manager, Nick Gardell. Nick has been with Family Melody since 2014 and started when he was 15. Since then Nick has received a bachelors degree in music education. When he’s not busy at his bench you can find Nick as a mainstay in many local music groups across Long Island and the Tristate area. He got his start playing with “FOUR HOUR TOUR” at 16 with Patchogue guitarist Joe Loschavio. Nick specializes in saxophone but is proficient in playing and repairing a variety of woodwind instruments.
Brass Technician Bobby Rice
Meet our brass technician, Bobby Rice. Bobby received his Bachelors in Music and Masters in Music from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, with a focus in music education and bass trombone. He has performed in a variety of ensembles around the globe, at many notable venues, including the Sydney Opera House. He has also given a TED X talk on modular synthesizers and their development, with an accompanying performance. He is currently involved in a number of classical and contemporary ensembles in Suffolk County and has close ties with music educators in almost every district.
Brass Technician Michael Cordaro
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Michael Cordaro is a native of Mastic Beach, NY where he began his musical studies in
his local public school music program. He studied Music Education at the Crane School
of Music, SUNY Potsdam where he earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music
degrees. For the past 23 years Mr. Cordaro was the Director of Bands at William Floyd
High School where he retired after a 33 years of teaching.
Mr. Cordaro is an active professional musician who has performed with the Atlantic
Wind Symphony, William Floyd Faculty Brass Quintet, and the Sound Symphony
Orchestra. He is also a member of the Norwood Brass Firemen, the official band of the
New York State Volunteer Fireman’s Association. Norwood Brass Firemen are most
notable for representing the United States performing at the Lake Placid and Sarajevo
Winter Olympic opening ceremonies, two presidential inaugural parades and the
Indianapolis 500 parade. Mr. Cordaro is currently the Music Director and Conductor of
the “No Doubt World Famous Monday Night Band”, performs with the Bay Brass
Quintet and is the Associate Conductor and Principal Tubist with the North Shore
Community Band.
While at the Crane School of Music, Mr. Cordaro studied Instrument Repair with Sal
Cania and Glen Griegel. For nearly 10 years he has been using those skills on a part time
basis for Family Melody Center in Patchogue, NY. Now, retired from teaching, he
spends more time at the store as a Brass Repair Technician.
Mr. Cordaro is the current President for the New York State Band Directors Association
(NYSBDA) and serves as the rehearsal conductor and SCMEA chairperson for New York
State Council for Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) All-County Band. Mr.
Cordaro is also an active member of the New York State School Music Association
(NYSSMA) and the National Band Association (NBA).
Brass Technician Sam Regan
Originally from Rochester, NY, Sam has always been surrounded by music. He started taking piano lessons at age 4, chose tuba in 5th grade, and taught himself bass trombone in high school. He played in All-County and All-State bands, was principal tuba of the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was accepted to NYSSMA All-State twice, in 2016 and 2017.
Sam studied tuba performance at the Crane School of Music, where he discovered instrument repair. After graduating in 2022, he took a gap year, then went to Red Wing in Minnesota to study band instrument repair at a specialized program. While looking for a job, Sam was approached by the Family Melody Center team, who were eager to bring him aboard.
He started in June 2024, repairing brass and woodwinds in the repair shop.
Sam is also a member of "The No Doubt World Famous Monday Night Band".
Woodwind Technician Stephen Normandeau
Stephen Normandeau is a native Long Islander. Coming from a musical family, he played clarinet throughout grade school. Stephen was a member of numerous All-County Bands and was accepted into the NYSSMA All-State Band in 2003. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Dowling College in 2008. Then, Stephen completed his Master’s Degree from SUNY Stony Brook in 2010.
Since September of 2008, he has worked as a music educator in the Middle Country Central School District. There, Stephen directs middle school bands while also teaching multi-instrumental lesson groups.
In July of 2020, he started working part time for Family Melody Center. Stephen had basic skills fixing instruments on the fly at work but wanted a better understanding and knowledge of instrumental repair. He worked his way up from apprentice to woodwind technician. His specialty is clarinet, but Stephen is proficient in other woodwinds. With prior music store retail experience, he can be found all around the store, not just in the repair shop.
Stephen is a member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) as well as a certified All-State Woodwind Adjudicator. In his spare time, you can find him serving his community as a volunteer firefighter.
Apprentice Finn Sobanski
Apprentice Angelina Dono
