About Our Staff

John Gottschalk
Owner
209-723-3337

John began playing French horn in his elementary school band in the fifth grade. A couple years later, he started working with his father and grandmother at Gottschalk Music Center in Modesto. He followed high school by going to Modesto Junior College and graduating from CSU, Chico, with a Music Education degree. After teaching elementary band for a year in Modesto, he joined the family business full-time by managing a new Gottschalk Music Center location in Stockton. In 1992, he moved to Merced to manage and later purchase the Merced GMC. Today, he enjoys working at both the Merced and Clovis locations of GMC as well as playing the French horn in local groups when time permits.

Helen Tomlinson 
Accounts Payable 
209-723-3337 

  Helen joined the GMC staff in 1995 as part time help during the band display seasons helping with contract input and yearly inventory counts. After Mrs. Gottschalk was unable to continue working, Helen took over her many tasks and became a full-time employee for Gottschalk Music Center. From 1999 until the purchase of the Barker's Music Store she and John were the only employees of the band instrument portion and she was truly John's right hand. As the store expanded her duties did as well.She still keeps all the finances and accounting in order. In addition,she maintains our rental contracts records. Although she is no longer out front giving customer service she is available for phone ordering.

Linda Cone
Inventory
209-723-3337

Linda has been employed with GottschalkMusicCenter for over 8 years. She is responsible for receiving and maintaining inventory for both the Merced and Clovis locations. Linda is also a pianist with over 40 years of experience. She teaches music to beginners through intermediate levels of all ages. Linda has taught private and group lessons for over 7 years. She also frequently plays for her church and has accompanied at weddings and for choirs.

Rick Stokes 
Store Manager & Sales (Merced) 
209-723-3337 

Rick was introduced to music as a child through school music programs. He began playing guitar at 16 and drum set at 17. Rick has been performing in bands around the Central Valley since 1998 and continues to do so with two bands, Deriva and Asphodel. Rick can be found five days a week behind the counter of GMC in Merced helping musicians in the community or working on musical instruments. 

Frank Zamora 
Repair Shop Manager & Tec. 
559-298-4400 

Frank Zamora, has been repairing musical instruments for over18 years. He got started in music in elementary school on the flute. He then took up the saxophone in high school to play in the jazz band. Frank then became a music education major at Fresno State University where he embarked on his journey into instrument repair as a student technician in the Music Department. Frank currently plays saxophone in a few local bands in the Fresno/Clovis area. 

Aaron Whitaker 
Assistant Store Manager & Sales (Merced) 
209-723-3337 

Cheri Keller
Sales (Clovis)
559-298-4400

Cheri's interest in music began in Elementary school with piano and clarinet and continued through High School and college. She has played in Modesto Jr. College's Community Band and Moband in Modesto. She is currently playing in the Fresno Community Concert Band and People's Church orchestra. She comes to Gottschalk Music Center from Miller Sheet Music where she was employed for 14 years learning about and selling printed music.

Ken Williams
Repair Tec.
559-298-4400

Kris Aoki
Repair Tec.
559-298-4400

Kris began his life in music, by playing trumpet in the fourth grade. Sense then he has participated in numerous high school and college ensembles and honor groups. Five years ago he began his apprenticeship in instrument repair at Fresno State. Now at GMC Clovis he can perform various repair services required by band instruments, along with field most questions regarding band instruments and accessories.

Matt Okumoto 
Repair Tec. 
559-298-4400