Page 48 - Biz X Magazine - July/August, 2014 Issue

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN Donations appreciated. Become a volunteer! By Rebecca Wright 263 Bridge Ave, Windsor Call (519) 971-7595 NICOLE BEZAIRE www.WelcomeCentreShelter.com Facing Te Music With Much Needed Instrument Repair Shop he sound of a broken musical As a member of the National Tinstrument may not be so pleasing Association of Professional Band for most, but for local businesswoman Instrument Repair Technicians, Bezaire Nicole Bezaire, it’s music to her ears. regularly attends clinics and conferences Bezaire recently opened a business to stay up to date and relevant with the called Bell & Brace – Brass and tools and people of the industry. Woodwind Repairs, which is a musical Bezaire moved back to the area last instrument repair shop that specializes year and opened Bell & Brace – Brass in servicing all brass and woodwind and Woodwind Repairs in May. instruments. Located at 120-875 Foster She says the reception from the Avenue, Bezaire says her business is community has been amazing. something that is much needed in “I started this shop hoping to Windsor Essex. become a part of Windsor’s great music She explains that one of the many community, and I feel that since I have walked through the door everyone has reasons she opened her company Nicole Bezaire is photographed in her new business, Bell & Brace – Brass is because she discovered most and Woodwind Repairs. Photo courtesy of Brad Tremblay Photography. greeted me with open arms – and bonus, local musicians need to send their broken instruments,” says Bezaire. instruments away to larger cities like industry careers I could think of. I fgured At her shop, she is able handle anything Toronto for repairs, which isn’t ideal. I’d better try it, and the idea excited me, even from general maintenance, cleaning, “Tat leaves a musician without their though I really had no idea what band repair and dent repairs to complete overhauls. instrument for weeks, and if you’re a pro, entailed.” Instruments she is able to work with include that’s not a situation you want to be in,” Bezaire became an expert in instrument the piccolo, fute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, says Bezaire. “Even if you’re a student just repair and maintenance through studying all valve instruments, rotor instruments, learning, you can imagine where missing and working abroad. In 2006, afer trombones and saxophones. two weeks of band class and practices would graduating high school, Bezaire went to “Part of what makes a community special leave you.” Keyano College in Fort McMurray and are the unique people and places,” says Te 25-year-old entrepreneur has earned a diploma in Band Repair. Bezaire. “I want people to see Bell & Brace been involved in music since she was in “Te course was mainly centred on (BellAndBrace.com) as not only a repair elementary school. Bezaire frst starting the trade, but there were also classes like shop, but a hub for everything music.” playing the saxophone in grade six and was accounting and business to help the students She continues, “I want to support young involved in several concert and jazz bands that wanted to branch out on their own,” musicians just starting out so they can throughout high school. She was also a says Bezaire. love and grow in music, I want to be a member of the Windsor Optimist Youth Afer earning her diploma, Bezaire moved resource for those hardworking teachers, Band for many years. to British Columbia, where she spent fve and I want to ofer a place where pros can “I was always shy and never keen on years working in the industry. ‘talk shop’ and where they can say what they solo performances or taking centre stage, “I wanted to feel confdent in the trade and need and hopefully I can deliver. It’s a niche but I loved music and I wanted a career in learn from working with other technicians, market, but the people in it are so talented, something behind the scenes,” says Bezaire. but I always knew that I eventually wanted gracious, and special, and I’m really “I discovered band instrument repair afer to move back to Windsor and open my own excited to see where they’ll take myself and searching online through all the music shop,” says Bezaire. Bell & Brace.” XX “Rest Assured With This FILES FILES Superb Sleep Supplier” Let us build you the proper support and comfort you need in a mattress. Enjoy the satisfaction of a custom-made mattress. The name behind a good night’s sleep Factory and Showroom 1519 Wyandotte St East, Windsor www.MonarchMattress.com 519-252-8329 48 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JULY/AUG 2014 BizX2014JulyAug52.indd 48 2014-07-01 7:54 PM