Welcome to North Country Winds
Welcome to North Country Winds! NCW has been operating since October 2016 as a clarinet specialty repair shop. NCW was founded on the bench, and artist level clarinet repairs, including USA warranty work for Backun clarinets, will always be the shop's focus.
After two years of growing at a faster rate than I would have ever imagined, I decided to start a website, and begin offering clarinets and woodwind accessories for sale. In addition to a passion for professional clarinet repair, I also enjoy helping musicians find their voice through new instruments and accessories.
I own and operate NCW. I do every repair that enters the shop, place the orders, ring the sales, ship the products, and sweep the floors. I am NCW and NCW is me. Every repair and instrument set up is performed by myself, and nobody else.
I grew up in Oswego, NY, earned a degree in music education from Mansfield University, a certificate in band instrument repair technology from Renton Technical College, and an MBA from Clarkson University. I have been a band director at an inner city public school, worked the sales floors of several music stores, managed a 4x NAMM Top 100 music store, the instrument repair technician at The Crane School of Music, and currently serve as the professor of band instrument repair technology at Crane.
I am an active member and clinician for the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), where I recently served as president for three terms. I've been honored to present repair clinics on three continents and 21 states. I have studied clarinet design and repair with Morrie Backun and have been performing the USA warranty repairs for Backun clarinets since 2016.
NCW has shipped thousands of orders. I truly appreciate the opportunity to help you make music and look forward to thousands more.
In 2025 I bought and old bank and opened a physical location at 41 May Rd in Potsdam, NY.
If you have a question, or would like to arrange for a repair or instrument trial, please contact me at northcountrywinds37@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Miles DeCastro