Newton, MA (November 25, 2003) - First Act Inc, a leading manufacturer of quality musical instruments, announced today that it has hired Paul Weller as Band Instrument Product Specialist, and Ellen Opel as Band Instrument Repair Technician. "In-depth, expert band instrument knowledge is an art that requires immense skill, intimate technical ability, and a great deal of hands-on experience," said Mark Izen, First Act president and CEO. "We're thrilled with the quality of work and experience that Paul and Ellen will bring to our First Act Concert Series™ of band instruments."
The two were hired to ensure the company's band instrument product line meets the high-quality standards of band directors, students, and parents as well as the needs of the professional repair technicians. "We know full well that the repair techs are the artists behind the artists-crucial to keeping music alive," added Izen "We created a pioneering program called the First Act Band Instrument Repair Technician Network where affiliated repair techs can share their knowledge and contribute ideas toward making positive improvements to our First Act Concert Series™ line of instruments. Paul and Ellen will provide exceptional direction and insight to the program."
In his new leadership role, Weller will be essential as First Act continues to focus on improving its band instrument category and promoting its mission to bring high-quality, affordable instruments to band students across America. "Paul is an eloquent and passionate spokesperson for both high-quality band instruments and the importance of music in children's lives," said Brad Myers, First Act product manager.
Paul brings more than thirty years of expertise and music credibility to his new role as product specialist. In addition to his full-time position as a band director and music educator for the Norwell Public Schools in Massachusetts, he is also a well-known musician and repair specialist. Paul is active in several regional and national professional band director organizations and is currently a regional director for NAPBIRT, the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians.
Before joining First Act, Ellen Opel spent fifteen years in the band instrument repair profession, most recently as the head repair technician for American Music Group where she was responsible for repair activity across brass, woodwind, and string instruments and for developing a training curriculum and apprenticeship program. She holds a degree in Musical Instrument Technology through the school of Engineering at the State University of New York.
About First Act:
First Act Inc., based in Boston, MA, is a premier musical products Company. First Act's entrepreneurs, musicians, and artisans develop superior musical instruments that are made to be heard and crafted to last.
First Act's Studio for Artists designs and builds custom guitars for professional musicians in a progressive, sophisticated in-house studio. First Act's Concert Series(tm) offers band students a comprehensive range of instrument choices while First Act's line for teens and adults includes a wide range of guitars, drums, hand percussion, and accessories. First Act's Discovery(tm) line of instruments gives young children a musical head start.