ABOUT US
AMIS was founded by Michael and Marie Pagliaro in January, 1972. They were responding to a demand for a musical instrument service which had the knowledge and ability to provide for the music needs of the public. Their philosophy centered on the thesis that monetary remuneration would be a natural byproduct for a job well done, not to have public service a victim from which to extract a profit. It worked! You will read about Michael and Marie on subsequent pages. Now meet the rest of the family.
Michael J. Pagliaro Jr., co-president of AMIS is a hands-on administrator and supervisor. A genius with mechanical matters and an entrepreneur extraordinaire, it is no surprise to see him use his training in business (he holds a BA in Business Administration) by consummating a deal via the internet for the purchase of 100 violins in Europe, then turn around to “heal” a wounded bassoon, which any other technician would pronounce DOA. If you want to buy an instrument, rent it, or sell it, Michael Jr. will deal with you. If it doesn’t work, he will fix it. If there is a problem, he will solve it. His staff of technicians, all of whom he has trained (Michael is occasionally an instructor of musical instrument technology at a local college) enjoy working with and for him.
Christine Pagliaro Raciti is co-president and comptroller of AMIS. She hold a BA in Music and an MA in Humanities. Christine is a violist, writer, and poet who combines her artistic sensitivity with an incredibly instinctive talent for things administrative. She acts as the rudder for AMIS. Doc is the captain, Mike is the engine, but under the surface of the AMIS is that rudder necessary to keep any great ship on a steady course. Liker her brother, Christine also multi-tasks. Testing a new line of violins for tone quality, designing a new internet home page, a brochure for next month’s violin sale, or soothing a distressed parent whose son lost his violin are all in a day’s work for Christine. When it is time to return thousands of rental returns on the last week of school, she will take charge of the process, applying her extraordinary organizational skills to ensure that the staff does the job accurately and efficiently. There is never an incorrect entry on Christine’s watch. If you want it done right, call Christine.
AMIS manufactures and distributes worldwide the following products invented by the
Pagliaros. (See www.pegdrops.com for our Contemporary Music Products website.)
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Peg Drops-a one drop solution to slipping pegs that is unsurpassed by any other peg treatment
on the market.
Viometer-a must for private or large group violin teaching, this device measures a violin student in seconds to guarantee the correct size instrument.
Bow Hair Rejuvenation Kit-a product which for a few cents will clean and rejuvenate bow hair. The process takes a few minutes, saves rehairing costs, and the down time associated with bow rehairing.
Bridge Foot Powder-a powder, which when applied to the feet of a bridge, will prevent the feet from slipping on the smooth surface of a string instrument.