Our First Gold Sponsor

On January 15th, WMB Newsletter Editorial Board Members Kylie Moore and Emmy Cohan interviewed Dan Lamancuso, the owner of Brass Monkey Music Repair in Williamsville, New York.

Dan is a 2009 graduate of Williamsville South High School and has been pursuing his music career since his freshman year at South. Dan was a “Band geek through and through,” he recalls and says he began his music career at SUNY Potsdam after he graduated. During Dan’s time in college, he majored in tuba performance because it was and still is -his favorite instrument to play. 

As Dan became more involved in the music business, he was exposed to more people with the same interests as him, and noticed people repairing instruments; however, he wasn't sure about continuing this line of work through his own life until he was back in his hometown of Williamsville. Dan decided to pursue tuba performance here in Buffalo, which allowed him to shift from playing the tuba around the country to becoming a repair major. He then worked to buy his home where he could locate his shop. This became beneficial to Dan because it meant he could start his own repair business at home. After continuously doing instrumental repairs beginning in 2014, Dan opened his business, Brass Monkey Music Repair, in the middle of 2018. 

Dan’s business was thriving, and once the pandemic hit, he had dealt with the possible benefits and setbacks. Dan says he was luckily able to stay open throughout the pandemic. “We were asked various questions from eager people wanting to know how easily germs spread through the instruments, and much more. Looking back, playing the instruments through holes in our masks was kind of funny,” Dan looked back on.

Dan says it’s important for those serious about music to practice as much as possible. “Practicing an instrument is a really good skill, and to learn to get good at something that can become a great hobby.” Dan says he notices that a lot of his private students have a tendency to spread themselves a little thin. “Sometimes, kids forget that music can be a great focus to develop and take the playing as far as you can. Growing on music leads to learning many life lessons - including how to apply it to a good work ethic and how to overcome struggles, not to mention it’s fun!” 

Dan is currently still playing locally in the American Legion Band, where the main groups are conducted by Mr. Cool (the band director at South High School).