Repair Shop
We are VERY proud to showcase our Band & Orchestra repair technicians! Combined, our repair department shares over 60 years of experience! Allow us to introduce everyone 😊
If you have any repair questions please feel welcome to reach out to us!
Grand Forks: (701) 746-7471 | repair@popplersmusic.com
Sioux Falls: (605) 336-6332 | sfrepair@popplersmusic.com
Tyler York Repair Shop Foreman
Tyler joined the Popplers Music Repair Department in 2009. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a degree in Music Performance (horn) and holds a diploma in Band Instrument Repair from Minnesota State College Southeast at Red Wing. In addition to being the main brass technician at Popplers, Tyler is also the shop foreman, ensuring the day-to-day operations of the repair department run as smoothly as possible. Outside of repair, Tyler is an active performer in the area, playing horn in various ensembles as well as putting together small chamber/solo recitals.
Rich Hastings Band/Orchestra Repair Technician
Rich Hastings has been repairing instruments since 1994 and is a graduate of Augustana College. In addition to his work at Popplers, he is a free-lance musician in the Sioux Falls area. Rich is considered by many educators to be one of the best brass repair technicians in the region. Mr. Hastings is also in demand as a repair clinician and educator. He has presented a variety of repair clinics for band and orchestra directors in the state.
Nick Helfrich Band/Orchestra Repair Technician
Nick has served in the Repair shop at Popplers since September 2020. He completed his studies in Music Education from UJ in Jamestown and went on to study instrument repair in Red Wing, Minnesota. His classroom experience and fix-it personality provide insight on how instruments live their lives and how to repair them. Nick loves to sing and play music. At UJ he was found in many ensembles and continues performing professionally with the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Forks Master Chorale. Music and repair run in Nick’s blood. His mother is a music teacher and father is a master craftsman. Another hobby is repairing vintage cars, which is something his grandfather enjoyed doing as well! In Nick’s free time, he plays hockey and regularly attends UND Hockey and football games along with watching sports at home and hanging out with his dog and two cats.
Joel Shotwell Band Instrument Repair Tehcnician
Joel is an active freelance saxophone player and educator based in Sioux Falls, SD. As an artist he regularly composes, arranges, and performs with many groups in the region, as well as groups of his own creation. As an educator he has a large private studio, teaches at various camps and clinics bands around the area. He also teaches adjunct saxophone and sax quartet at Augustana University. Joel came to Popplers in the winter of 2020 as a saxophone and low reed repair specialist. He is highly requested as a repair technician for his attention to detail as he works with novice to professional level customers.
Darlene Fick Band Instrument Repair Technician
Darlene Fick began her career as an instrument repair technician in the fall of 2008 when she apprenticed with K&M Music to learn the craft of repairing flutes, clarinets, and oboes. Darlene continued on as a woodwind repair specialist when Popplers purchased K&M music in the spring of 2016.