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We believe, wholeheartedly, that music heals the soul. It is our joy and privilege to provide a space to celebrate and encourage the wonder of music in our community—today and for future generations.
Whether you meet us in our store, on our website or in the community, we hope to always convey our love of music and the power it has to transform, enlighten, and inspire.
Our Story
In early 1976, Michael Mitchell opened the doors to The Magic Flute at its original location by Lococo’s Pizzeria and Scotty’s Market in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael.
Mike, an English horn player, was a social worker at St Vincent’s School for Boys before venturing into music retail when he bought B&G Music. Buying a music store was in line with his deep interest in music and community and, as a fan of Dvořák and Mozart, he renamed the store after Mozart’s last opera (The Magic Flute).
In 1978, Mike expanded and moved the store to the Northgate One shopping center where it has thrived for over 40 years, serving thousands of musicians, an enduring and cherished community institution.
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Our Team
Management and Music Lessons
Christian Dean
Owner / Guitar Technician
Guitar, Voice
Christian has been connected to this store for most of his life. As a young kid, he saved up to buy his first guitar here in 1977 (Franciscan acoustic classical for $35.00!), started working here in 1980—shipping, receiving, stocking and cleaning, then bought the store from Mike 30 years later (2010). It would be an understatement to say he LOVES this place, the staff and the customers.
Loren "Spike" Klein
General Manager
Drums
Since 2001, and after working in almost every position, Spike is our main "bean counter". Introduced to the store via jazz band at College of Marin, Spike says he's stayed because his bosses (past and present) are excellent, friendships made are irreplaceable, and he believes in our mission which is to help bring music-making into the lives of as many people as possible. Who can argue with that?
Tamara Osheroff
Owner / Marketing
Ukulele, Voice
Tamara has spent her career in marketing consulting. Shortly before the 10th anniversary of store co-ownership, her career shifted such that she could finally join the team and focus her talents at The Magic Flute. She's never been happier.
Joe Nemzer
Manager/Music Lessons, Online Inventory, Shipping
Electric and Upright Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums
Since 2005, Joe has seen it all. Literally. Being responsible for receiving new inventory–getting it on the sales floor and on our website, he touches practically everything that comes in. And when he’s not handling products, he’s deftly serving students and teachers in our Music Lessons program. As a Marin native, active musician and teacher, the staff camaraderie and connection with local musicians makes this a great place to be.
Repair Shop
Ivan Andres Rondon Triana
Brass and Woodwind Technician
Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Latin Percussion, Voice
When Ivan found us in 2013, it was a match made in heaven. As an experienced technician, and active musician and performer in Bairro Manouche, among others, he knows how important it is for customers to get the best possible care for their instruments, so they keep playing. He loves working in a small, forward looking, family-owned business dedicated to serving its customers and the music community. Feelings are mutual.
Mark Culbertson
Orchestral Strings Technician
Double Bass, Electric Bass
Mark is an accomplished musician, teacher, and repair technician. Though he had shopped at "the Flute" since moving to the area in 1994, and he knew it had a great reputation, it was Sandy Perlman, producer of Blue Oyster Cult, who gave Mark the idea that it would be a fun place to work. Trained in string instrument and bow repair, Mark jumped at the opportunity to work in our Repair Shop. 14 years later, we're so glad he did!
Chaco Amazè
Brass and Woodwind Technician / Sales
Tenor Saxophone
Chaco is a natural talent. Whether he's playing a sax or repairing one, he makes it seem soulful and effortless. When he joined the Repair Shop team in 2020, he was the youngest and newest technician. Like many others, he came highly recommended by another staff member, which says a lot! He loves the "chill" environment and being part of a collective that values him, his time and the importance of music in all of our lives.
Avery Okamura
Sales / Guitar and Bass Technician
Guitar, Drums
Avery, the singing guitar player in One Armed Joey, is also a self-professed "gear head". Need a guitar, pedal, or amp reco? He’ll have one, and he’s also happy to put on a string or clean a noisy output jack while you’re here. As a kid he loved visiting his uncle Ethan in the Repair Shop (it didn't hurt that Silbermann's Ice Cream was close by!). Being around instruments is awesome, but the best part of his job is working with his colleagues and serving his customers. He just loves music, man.
Sales and Operations
Michael “The Fiend” Creamer
Sales Associate
Guitar
After 30+ years, The Fiend is a fixture in our music community and in our store. His soft-spoken, approachable self has helped hundreds of customers, young and old, on their musical journeys. As a good listener, he makes it easy for customers to open up and share their musical dreams and aspirations, or simply hang out and catch up. He loves working in “the” community music store in Marin, surrounded by his closest friends, his wife (who he met here!), and cool gear all day. Can it still be called “work”?!
Brody Bass
Sales Associate
Electric Bass, Guitar
Brody is one-of-a-kind and brings some cool, positive energy with him every time he hits the floor. He loves music and while he's pursuing his dream of rock stardom as a founding member of Modern Monsters, working at a music store is pure awesomeness. We love that he uses his passion and knowledge of music to greet and get to know what our customers are looking for so he can help answer questions and get the right instruments into their hands. Rock on Brody!
Blake Biller
Sales Associate
Guitar, Drums
Gear-head? Yes please. Who better to help a customer decide what’s best for them than someone enthusiastic about tools and techniques? Blake’s passion for music is contagious, he shreds like a maniac, and his product knowledge is amazingly deep for such a young guy.
Bran Jenkins
Sales Associate
Banjo
What do you get when you bundle musical talent + creative energy + an awesome work ethic? Bran!
He bought his first guitar (a cherry red Ibanez Destroyer) and took lessons here at “The Flute” with
Jerry Cortez (Tower of Power) back in the day. These days, hanging with musically inclined folks, staff
and customers, continues to inspire and spur him on. And when not at the store, you’ll find him
gaming, voice acting, drawing, painting or hiking…to name just a few of his creative outlets.
June Ivanetich
Sales Associate
Voice, Soprano
June is all about love….of birds, teaching and music! While working towards her credential to teach
music, elementary through high school-level, she loves sharing her passion for music with everyone
who walks through our doors. Whether she’s engaging with a customer to learn more about their
musical interests, demonstrating how to hold or play an instrument, or gushing over certain genres and
styles, June is enthusiastic and effervescent.
Diego Altamirano
Sales Associate
Saxophone
So young and yet, so talented. Diego has been a musician and sax player for over 9 years and plans
to major in Jazz Education in college. He’s fluent in English and Spanish which is a special and
appreciated skill. Working at a music store like The Magic Flute is a perfect fit for Diego…he gets to
meet and help customers explore music, while continually building his own musical knowledgebase.
Got to love his spirit.
Kevin Hansen
Administrative Support
Clarinet
We’re so lucky to have Kevin on our team since 2003! Not only is he a wiz at keeping our "back office" in order with filing, inventory management, and rental fleet preparedness, but he keeps Christian and the shop guys fortified with a regular infusion of donut holes from our favorite, Jelly Donuts, right here in Northgate One. When he's not working, Kevin can be found playing his clarinet in the Deutscher Musikverein of SF.
Marketing
Marilyn Creamer
Social Media / Community Manager
Flute
Music, art, and family mean the world to Marilyn, and she has found her place. Over the years (since 2002), she has worn many hats and is currently our Social Media and Community Manager. As one of few women on staff she's often remembered as the "sheet music lady" or "one of the ladies behind the counter". As a musician, a mom and one who believes in the inherent benefits of music, she delivers the content that our customers love and want.
Elke Dean
Visual Display
Harmonica
Elke has helped with display and merchandising since the early 1980's when Mike was the owner and Christian was just a kid who worked here. Trained in window dressing and visual merchandising in her hometown of Munich, Germany, and a creative entrepreneur many times over, Elke still ensures our windows and our store always look the best, current and festive.
Scott MacQuarrie
Product Expert
Trombone, Piano, Guitar and Bass Guitar
Scott considers himself a lucky guy. He was introduced to music at a young age and since graduating from Marin School of the Arts (MSA), he’s landed the perfect gig–he’s getting paid to continue his music education! Scott recognizes the unique opportunities he was given to learn and explore music so he makes it his personal mission to share his knowledge and experience with all of his customers, encouraging their exploration of music. We’re the lucky ones.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Customers Say
