Meet The Staff

Eric "Bird" Wistreich, Owner



Hailing from Mishawaka, Indiana, Eric "Bird" Wistreich took apart his first saxophone on his living room floor in the 7th grade and has been interested in the mechanics of saxophones ever since. Bird attended Butler University as a saxophone performance major where he studied with Dr. Heidi Radtke and Dr. Matt Pivec. He went on to study brass and woodwind repair at the prestigious Red Wing Technical School in Red Wing, Minnesota. After his graduation in 2019, Bird joined the MW team and has logged several thousands of hours dedicating himself to the repair, maintenance, restoration, and modification of all types of saxophones. Additionally, Bird also manufactures Meridian Winds specialty saxophone accessories. During the 2020 pandemic shut down, Bird took up silversmithing and his new knowledge has since contributed to several shop projects.


Eric Satterlee, Founder

Eric is the founder (1984) and technical director of Meridian Winds in Okemos, Michigan. He began his repair apprenticeship in 1972 and has been learning ever since. He has presented numerous instrument repair clinics for the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), and the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). He has traveled throughout Europe on several occasions visiting repair technicians, and he has manned the booth at the Frankfurt Music MESSE representing Ferree's Tools, the world's largest maker of musical instrument repair tools. He holds certification from the Straubinger Flute company. Eric is co-inventor of the Magnetic Dent Removal System, which is manufactured and distributed globally from Meridian Winds. Besides holding a US Patent for the MDRS, Eric also holds several other patents related to saxophone enhancement.


Bruce McCall, Woodwind Repair Technician


Bruce McCall is originally from East Lansing, MI, where he graduated from East Lansing HS and earned a Bachelor of Music in Bassoon & Oboe at Michigan State University. He was a member of the US Military Academy Band at West Point where he performed on both instruments. Bruce took apart his first oboe while in the 6th grade and has been actively repairing woodwinds since 1976. He returned to his home town and joined the repair team at Meridian Winds in 2014. While very familiar with all aspects of woodwind repair, his experience is in the service of professionals and college-level players from across the country. For many years, Bruce operated his repair business from NYC while also working as a free-lance performer. He has presented numerous double reed repair seminars for the International Double Reed Society (IDRS), The National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), The Brevard Center, as well as at many universities across the country. Bruce holds certification from both Straubinger and Muramatsu, and he is the author of "The Essential Guide to Adjusting Your Oboe," which is available at Meridian Winds. 


Dave Christenson, Brass Repair Technician


Dave has been a brass repair technician at Meridian Winds for many years. During his tenure, he has developed a very considerable following of brass players who trust him with their instruments. He is primarily a trumpeter but is well versed in all brasswinds. He is originally from a small town in Minnesota and graduated with a music degree from Union College. After being a band director for several years, Dave decided to follow the call to become an instrument repair technician. He attended the prestigious Redwing Technical College where he studied under master technicians Jon Huth and Gene Beckwith. Besides playing trumpet in various ensembles and brass bands, Dave regularly works with his church's youth sharing his musical skills.


Devon Gross, Accounts & Print Music Manager


Devon took apart an oboe once but did not particularly enjoy putting it back together so she is happy to be behind the scenes as Accounts/Print Music Manager. She grew up in Marshall, Michigan, then continued on to earn a Bachelor's degree at Central Michigan University where she studied oboe (with Dr. Lindabeth Binkley) as well as English: Creative Writing. Devon plays oboe and English horn in the Mason Symphony Orchestra and in the pit orchestras for theatre companies across Michigan. She also teaches private oboe lessons right here at Meridian Winds.


John Cooper, Brass Repair Technician




Gary Beem, Repair Technician


Gary Beem began his instrument repair apprenticeship in 1975 while he was still a high school student. He is from East Lansing , MI where he graduated from East Lansing High School and his father was a band director. Gary is a percussionist and while in high school traveled internationally on several occasions with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp bands. He has also been an active player in various community and big bands in the mid-Michigan area. Gary's repair skills are considered legendary with the many Meridian Winds repair technicians he has mentored during his over 30 years here. Whenever there is a particularly difficult repair in the shop that requires skills and experience, we "give it to the Beemer." Gary's lathe and fabrication skills in particular are well recognized. He has developed many methods for rebuilding instruments that have become standard practice in the industry. Gary was also instrumental in the development of the Magnetic Dent Removal System, and has logged more hours using the MDRS than any other technician. He is considered the foremost authority on use, technique and application of the MDRS. Gary never takes a vacation day during most of the year but don't look for him in the shop between the 15th and 30th of November during deer hunting season.


Sarah Ellul, Clarinet Repair Specialist



Sarah is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance studying with Elsa Verdehr and Tasha Warren-Yehuda. She is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she studied clarinet performance with Dr. Kimberly Cole and Dr. Sandra Jackson. During high school Sarah studied clarinet with Dr. Kathy Wood and Dr. Meghan Merciers who both also received their advanced degrees from Elsa Verdehr. Sarah worked part time in the shop during her time at MSU and began her instrument repair apprenticeship upon graduation. She specializes in all aspects of clarinet repair, maintenance, and restoration. She also ensures that Meridian Winds' extensive inventory of clarinets are in excellent playing condition and set up to her exacting standards. Sarah is especially trusted for her expertise in working with Buffet-Crampon's line of professional clarinets.