About Us
The Story of Rose City Instruments
Rose City Instruments was founded in 2026 to help musicians in the Pacific Northwest and beyond find quality professional and entry-level professional instruments, accessories, and repairs. Founded by Andy Smith, the business is all about establishing relationships and growing connections in our community.
Meet Our Owner
Andy Smith, DMA
Andy Smith’s musical journey has taken him around the world across a wide range of musical genres. A uniquely versatile figure in the music community, Andy has built a career as a professor, performer, repair technician, and leader in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds.
Originally from Syracuse, New York, Andy began his musical life as a trumpet player in fourth grade. Despite practicing diligently, the trumpet never quite clicked. His middle school band director, Burt Dunlap, suggested a change—and without knowing any better, Andy picked the tuba. That decision changed everything.
Over the past 20 years, Andy has served as principal tuba with multiple orchestras, performed as a soloist in four countries and throughout the United States, taught at the collegiate level, repaired instruments for some of the world’s finest players, and managed the Repair Parts Department at Conn-Selmer.
Our Owner's Philosophy
Andy believes instruments are a powerful way for musicians to discover and refine their unique voice and sound. As a repair technician with a deep passion for large brass repair, he brings the same level of care, precision, and pride to tuba and euphonium work that many shops reserve only for smaller instruments. His repair-first perspective informs every instrument he sells and services, with an emphasis on playability, longevity, and real-world performance.
Rose City Instruments was founded to serve musicians on the West Coast by providing access to exceptional instruments, thoughtfully selected mouthpieces, and high-quality modifications and repairs—all under one roof. Andy is known for his honest, dependable, and reasonable approach, helping players make confident, informed decisions without pressure or upselling.
Andy holds degrees from Ithaca College, the Eastman School of Music, Renton Technical College, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a member of NAPBIRT, NAMM, ITEA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Outside of the shop, Andy enjoys playing tennis, conducting the Orchestra and Wind Symphony and serving as Deputy Operations Officer with the Blueprint Ensemble Arts and Theatre Initiative, exploring new cuisines, spending time with family and friends, and working on woodworking projects in his garage.
Nic Merle, Repair Technician and Sales Associate
Nicolas Merle is a tubist, low brass educator, and band instrument repair technician originally from Argentina and currently based in Vancouver, Washington. He performs regularly with community ensembles and musical organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest while maintaining an active private teaching studio for low brass students of all ages and experience levels.
After picking up the tuba in ninth grade and quickly discovering that he wanted to pursue a career in music, Nicolas has remained committed to developing as both a performer and educator. His goal is to help create meaningful musical opportunities for aspiring musicians throughout the Pacific Northwest and to encourage students to develop confidence, musicianship, and a lifelong connection to music.
Nicolas holds a Bachelor of Music in Tuba Performance from Western Washington University and a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of Idaho, where he served as a teaching assistant and was involved with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. He also earned a Band Instrument Repair Certificate from Renton Technical College.
His musical experiences include attending the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute, participating in the Marrowstone Music Festival, and competing in several solo competitions throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has also appeared as a featured soloist with ensembles including the Lower Columbia College Band.
Instrument Repair and Other Skills
In addition to performing and teaching, Nicolas works as a repair technician and sales specialist at Rose City Instruments. In this role, he enjoys helping musicians find and maintain instruments that allow them to perform at their best and express themselves through music.
His experience as a performer, educator, and repair technician gives him a broad perspective on the needs of musicians and allows him to support students and customers both musically and technically. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Nicolas is also able to work effectively with Spanish-speaking students, families, and customers.
Nicolas brings experience from outside the music industry as well, including work in commercial truck driving and construction. These experiences reinforced the importance of patience, precision, perseverance, and hard work—qualities he strives to bring to every lesson, performance, and repair.
Outside of music, Nicolas enjoys sim racing and flight simulation, as well as hiking and paddleboarding with his dog, Spud. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Willow, whose unwavering support has helped make it possible for him to pursue his dream of building a career in music.