Phil Unger
Owner/Repair Technician
Phil Unger grew up in a house that was filled with the sound of his father's clarinet playing. It makes sense that Phil would pursue a life that revolves around instruments and helping people make music.
As a child, Phil learned the Clarinet and later on took up the Contrabass. He later enrolled and attended Ohio University and received a degree in Radio and Television, but over the years he never lost his passion for instruments. He realized early on that he had an innate ability to take things apart and put them back together again. After taking a repair class at the Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, Phil decided to follow both of his passions for music and repair. He enrolled in the best music repair program in the country, Allied Repair School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It was while at Allied that he discovered his special talent for repairing flutes. He excelled in this department. After spending one year working and training in Wisconsin, Phil moved to Dallas to manage and repair for a large music store. After a few years, he decided he needed to learn more about professional flute repair. Professional flutes are a world apart from student flutes and require special training.
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Phil Unger
Owner/Repair Technician
Phil Unger grew up in a house that was filled with the sound of his father's clarinet playing. It makes sense that Phil would pursue a life that revolves around instruments and helping people make music.
As a child, Phil learned the Clarinet and later on took up the Contrabass. He later enrolled and attended Ohio University and received a degree in Radio and Television, but over the years he never lost his passion for instruments. He realized early on that he had an innate ability to take things apart and put them back together again. After taking a repair class at the Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, Phil decided to follow both of his passions for music and repair. He enrolled in the best music repair program in the country, Allied Repair School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It was while at Allied that he discovered his special talent for repairing flutes. He excelled in this department. After spending one year working and training in Wisconsin, Phil moved to Dallas to manage and repair for a large music store. After a few years, he decided he needed to learn more about professional flute repair. Professional flutes are a world apart from student flutes and require special training.
Phil's desire to focus on professional flutes led him to apprentice as a private student with world-renowned repairman and flute maker, Jim Phelan at the Verne Q. Powell Flute Company in Boston. Phil continued his education at Powell by repeat visits to concentrate on different aspects of flute construction and restoration. Working side by side with Jim opened up a whole new world for Phil and really helped him to hone his professional flute repair skills. He opened his first business in 1980 across the street from Fair Park in historic downtown Dallas.
About 14 years ago, Phil relocated to the heart of Manhattan with his family. He now spends his days repairing and managing the Flute Center of New York. Phil invites you all to visit the Flute Center of New York. You never know who you might meet here!
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-6
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