Miles D DeCastro
Musical Instrument Technician
Miles DeCastro is the instrument repair technician at The Crane School of Music, where he teaches courses in instrument repair technology and is responsible for the repairs, maintenance, and inventory of over 1,200 instruments. Outside of Crane he also runs his own woodwind specialty shop called North Country Winds. Prior to joining Crane in July of 2016, he was the general manager at Bridgepoint Music in Menlo Park, CA from 2012-2016, where he led the company to four consecutive NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards. His professional repair career officially began in Reno, NV, where he was shop manager of Maytan Music Center from 2008-2011.
Prof. DeCastro has been an active member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians since 2007. He recently completed his third term as president of NAPBIRT and currently serves as chair of the President's Advisory Committee and on the board of the NAPBIRT Endowment Fund.
A highly sought-after consultant, clinician, and advocate for instrument repair education, he has presented over 50 clinics on the topics instrument repair technology and the music industry during his time at Crane. His presentations have been enjoyed in over 20 states and on three continents.
Miles is a Straubinger Certified Technician, Yamaha Certified Sales Professional, graduate of the Yamaha Service Advantage Program, and he has studied instrument repair and design with Morrie Backun. He serves on the Vendors' Forum Committee of The International Clarinet Association and is also a member of NAfME, NAMM, and NASA (the saxophone one, not the outer space one).
Miles holds a degree in Music Education from Mansfield University, a Certificate in Band Instrument Repair Technology from Renton Technical College, and an MBA from Clarkson University.