David Sheppard graduated from San Jacinto College with an AA under the direction of Dr. Randy Snyder, and went on to pursue my BMA EDU at University of Houston under the guidance of Dr. Karen Wylie. While attending the University of Houston I took on a part time job as a repair technician at Fleming Instrument Repair in Houston. After working for a few months, I decided to become a full time technician, and after a year as an apprentice I moved to H&H Music in Spring Texas where I worked diligently for the next decade improving myself and the quality of my work; garnishing a reputation for great work and customer service.
During this time I went to study Straubinger installation and advanced flute repair with Adam Martinez at Custom Woodwinds, and later that year attended my Straubinger certification with David and Joel Straubinger. After this achievement I created a repair studio centered around Professional players and their needs. Where professional players, and their students' instruments would be looked as if it were a doctor's visit, and the instrument is the patient.
The model soon took off and I found myself working on almost exclusively higher end flutes, clarinets, and saxophones. During this time I continued to explore my profession and gather knowledge from every possible source. So I sought out makers of fine instruments, such as Muramatsu America, Brannen, Selmer Paris, Yamaha, Keilwerth, Buffet. I also spent time reading books by Theobald Bohm, Robert Schmidt etc. and emailing/ calling technicians for all sorts of information. I did all of this to build a set of skills to help my customers’ instruments play the very best they can.
After this decade of refining myself and my skills I moved to Ft. Bend Music to take on the role as the Repair Dept. Manager to help improve and expand the ever growing needs of their store and to focus on my own small, but growing custom repair shop. Over the next 5 years I achieved my Muramatsu and Schmidt Pad certifications being the only Technician in Texas, and now New York, with all 3 certifications. While that brings us current, it in no way is the end. I still have plans to learn and grow more. At this point my future holds for me what I put into it. I will sum up everything I’ve learned in life with this quote:
“If you want to be great at something … get after it”.
What flute do you play?
Too many to list as I’m a collector of the odd and rare.
What made you interested in learning flute repair?
I saw a severe need for skilled technicians.
What is your favorite flute piece?
Syrinx, as it was one of the first pieces I learned in High School.
Where is your favorite place to eat in NYC?
Too many to list as I am a bit of a foodie!