Our vision at First Note Music is to be Southwest Florida's leading independent music retailer by offering affordable private instruction and quality instrument repair services.  We will accomplish this by providing the best facilities, staff and repair technicians available to us in our community.

Our Code of Ethics

• To adhere to simple honesty and integrity in advertising and all transactions
• To provide reliable, professional advice
• To provide service after the sale
• To offer prompt attention to any guarantee and warranty work
• To cooperate with other establishments in eliminating misleading or deceptive selling practices within our community
• To respond promptly to any complaint with all efforts toward reaching a mutually satisfying agreement

Who We Are

In 1998, Michael & Christy Wenzlaff incorporated Baroque Instrument Repair.  At the time, they were partnered with American Music Group working on band and orchestra repairs from the Lee and Collier County School Districts.  The operation was simple and Mike's repair shop was his home garage.  With an ever-expanding work load and the need for a quality retail and repair shop in-town, Mike & Christy opened their first location in North Fort Myers in 2001.

Baroque Instrument Repair, Inc. was then transformed and began doing business as First Note Music.  With a tiny retail space, an even smaller repair shop and only three lesson studios, the need quickly arose to begin seeking a new location.  In 2002, the decision was made to build a brand new store with thousands of square feet of retail and repair space.  The process was long but Mike & Christy pushed ahead and in November of 2004, moved the entire operation to their new home.

Since those first chaotic days, First Note Music has grown considerably.  Our eight fully-furnished lesson studios house 15 qualified teachers with nearly 300 students furthering their education each week.  We now service schools in Lee, Collier and Hendry Counties, work with professional musicians from around the state and carry some of the finest instruments and accessories you won't find other places.

At First Note Music, you will experience customer service and attention to detail unlike any other music store in the area.  Stop by today and play test any instrument in-stock, sign up for lessons or browse thousands of music titles, all in one convenient location: on Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral.

Meet Your Staff

Michael Wenzlaff - Owner & Certified Repair Technician

Originally from Wisconsin, Mike attended Allied Music Corporation's School of Band Instrument Repair in 1980.  After graduating, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina as the manager and lead repair technician of John's Music Store.

His travels eventually took him to Redbank, New Jersey where he was hired as a band instrument repair tech.  After six years, Mike moved to sunny Southwest Florida in 1990.  For a time, Mike was the owner of Educator's Music in Cape Coral before partnering with American Music to complete repairs for them.

In 1998, he and his wife, Christy, formed Baroque Instrument Repair, Inc. and continued repairing instruments for Lee and Collier County Schools.  In 2001, Mike & Christy began doing business as First Note Music and opened their first store in North Fort Myers.  In 2004, construction was finally completed on the new store.  Since then, Mike has seen the lesson studios expand to 15 teachers and over 350 students.  He continues his duties regularly as lead repair tech and owner often visiting local schools with his wife.

Christy Wenzlaff - Owner & Certified Music Educator

Pennsylvania is the home state of Christy where she attended Clarion University.  She earned two Bachelor's Degrees in Elementary Education and Music Education.  After graduation, she moved to Southwest Florida and began working in the Lee County School District at Pine Island Elementary.

She attended the Universtiy of South Florida in 1990 where she eventually earned her Master's Degree in Elementary Cirriculum & Instruction.  She met Mike, her future husband, while performing with the Haffenkapelle Band at the German American Social Club in Cape Coral.  Christy continued to teach at Villas Elementary and Pelican Elementary before moving to St. Michael's Lutheran School as the Music Instructor.

For the last 15 years, Christy has worked with her students and collegues at St. Michael's to present an annual drama deparment production.  Enlisting the help of her husband, Mike, they have successfully performed The Music Man, The King and I, Disney's The Aristocats and many other great shows.

Scott Tripp - Store Manager

Celimar Silver - Associate

Warren Baxter - Associate

As a native Southwest Floridian, Warren graduated from Mariner High School in 2001 and went on to the University of Central Florida.  Originally majoring in Music Education, he returned to Cape Coral in 2002.  At that time, he took a job with the Silver Magic Marching Band as a marching & music tech.

Warren was introduced to Mike & Christy a short time after, beginning work on their website and as part time help at the original First Note Music in North Fort Myers.  After "the big move" to the new store, Warren continued as web editor and part time help until 2006 when he was offered and accepted the position of store manager.  In 2008 he earned a degree from Southwest Florida College in Marketing and Management.

In August 2011, Warren resumed his quest for a Music Education degree and began attending Florida Gulf Coast University to achieve that goal.  He now works part time at First Note Music, specializing in music ordering and customer service.