NEWTON TWP. — Anne Williams has experienced many memories through music and started a business in her hometown with two goals in mind: share her passion for others and the desire to repair their equipment.

Williams opened Gryphon Winds LLC Aug. 7 and offers professional woodwind and small brass repairs, maintenance and cleaning services at her shop at 1814 Red Barn Village Road. She also has several used, restored instruments for sale.

“I had been working at a family-owned music store in Fredericksburg, Va. as a repair technician,” she said. “Then, the opportunity came up here to buy my parents’ house and open a business nearby. I couldn’t pass up that opportunity; it was wonderful.

“I would like to be the go-to person for woodwind and small brass repairs,” she added. “If you have an issue with an instrument, you bring it to me, I fix it up and everybody’s happy.”

Williams’ main mission is to assist people learning how to play an instrument and those who want to begin performing again.

“I’m primarily looking to fix up older instruments and give kids, or even adults, an opportunity to start off with a good, quality used instrument,” she said. “I focus on the student and intermediate models, because I really want to help students or people who are looking to restart or pick up band activities.

“I’ll handle piccolos, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, oboes, trumpets and trombones.”

Williams, 42, played clarinet for 10 years in the United States Army Band and vividly remembers performing in the New York City area after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“Some of the groups played in Central Park, Grand Central Station and on Long Island,” she said. “It was one of the most emotional, amazing experiences because we were able to bring comfort and hope to a bunch of people who really didn’t have much left.”

She served on active duty in the Army for 10 years, spending time in Kentucky, South Korea and Virginia. She also served for two years in The National Guard of the United States in South Dakota.

Williams attended Abington Heights High School and graduated from Marywood College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After serving in the Army, she attended Western Iowa Tech Community College to earn a degree in Band Instrument Repair.

Williams’ business hours are 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, but she will also take special appointments.

“If someone has an emergency or if they can’t make it during those hours, they can call me and I’m available,” she said.

Anne Williams has several used restored instruments, including clarinets and a trombone, for sale at Gryphon Winds LLC in Newton Township.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-Gryphon-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAnne Williams has several used restored instruments, including clarinets and a trombone, for sale at Gryphon Winds LLC in Newton Township. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Anne Williams, owner of Gryphon Winds LLC, works on disassembling a flute in preparation for repadding in her shop at 1814 Red Bard Village Road in Newton Township.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-Gryphon-3.jpg.optimal.jpgAnne Williams, owner of Gryphon Winds LLC, works on disassembling a flute in preparation for repadding in her shop at 1814 Red Bard Village Road in Newton Township. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

 

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

 

 

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.