Jana Thomas, a third-generation Fort Collins native, started The Repair Shop over 30 years ago. After graduation from Colorado State in 1973 with a degree in Music Education, Jana went to Colombia, S.A. to teach music for four years, returned to Colorado and taught band and choir at Wellington Junior High for one year, and then attended the Band Instrument Repair program at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, IA. Returning to Fort Collins one last time, she opened The Repair Shop on June 1, 1979.

Jana still loves the daily challenge of each new instrument and its unique problems. Even after 30 years, she enjoys finding new and better ways to make the instruments perform at the highest standard. She believes in trying new techniques, tools, and products whenever possible.

Jana repairs all brass and all woodwinds, but currently specializes in brass, double reeds and professional-level clarinets and saxes. She continues to play the clarinet, currently as a member of the Fort Collins Wind Symphony.

"Nothing is better than music....
it has done more for us than we have the right to hope for.”  - Nadia Boulanger

Reid, our main woodwind tech, came to The Repair Shop in 1996 as an apprentice. In his 14 years he has gained the skills to do fine work on all woodwind instruments and is committed to carrying out The Shop's mission. At this time he does all the flute work in the shop, and shares the sax and clarinet work with Jana.

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”- Confucius