About Our Founder
That’s me at my first “gig,” my second grade class musical at Handley Elementary in Saginaw, Michigan.
I was lucky. I grew up with parents who were constantly exposing me to music. I went to an elementary school that had a full-time music teacher who taught us lessons like the differences between the Baroque and Romantic periods of classical music. In middle school, I was required to join either the choir or the concert band. I chose to play drums in the band. After showing I was serious, my parents bought me a drum set. In high school, when I decided that I would rather play drums in a rock band than the marching band, my parents were not happy but they offered to pay for private lessons.
To summarize:
- I had parents who were supportive of my musical ambitions.
- My parents could afford to support my musical ambitions with instruments and private lessons.
- I went to schools with music programs that not only offered music instruction, but required students to take a certain amount of music classes.
I feel bad for kids today. Most are not as lucky as I was. Parents are busier. Family budgets are tighter. More school music programs are being cut each year. Some kids may have one or two of the benefits that I had growing up, but having all three is certainly rare.
So, I asked myself a question: What can I do to help? There are a lot of great music education charities that supply musical instruments and instruction to children that can’t afford either. I probably can’t do a better job than they already do.
I decided I could, however, find new ways to help these charities reach their goals. By teaming up with retailers to pay cash-back on everyday purchases, I think gearpipe.org has created a unique and creative system to put more money into the hand of people who are making a difference.
I’m excited to start on this journey and am glad you’re coming along for the ride!
Jeremy Brieske
More about Jeremy:
Jeremy has worked in the music industry for over 15 years, starting at an independent music store while in high school. He has worked for six NAMM member companies, including Dean Markley, Pro Co Sound, and Fender Musical Instruments. Jeremy now owns Drive Channel Creative, a marketing agency focusing on musical instrument manufacturers, and works as a freelance marketer specializing in podcast production.
He holds a BA in Business Management from Western Michigan University and currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
Links:
Drive Channel Creative – Musical Instrument Marketing
Personal Portfolio Website: Music, Marketing, Audio Production
LinkedIn Profile