MusicFirst, the digital education division of Wise Music Group, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Walt Straiton to its leadership team.
Straiton, who joins the organisation as Director of Sales in January 2022, is moving from Conn-Selmer, Inc and has previously held various leadership positions within the educational division of Yamaha Corporation of America. His career also includes a 26-year tenure as Director of Orchestras and Assistant Director of Marching Bands at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Walt Straiton said, ‘I am both honoured and excited to join MusicFirst, along with the Wise Music Group, in advancing the global cause of music education. I am especially excited for the opportunity to work alongside Dr Jim Frankel, a long-time friend and colleague. I’ve both admired and respected his work for over two decades.’
Jim Frankel, MusicFirst’s Founder and Director, said, ‘We are very excited to welcome Walt to the MusicFirst team. He is a talented musician, conductor, and educator, and I have a huge amount of respect for him. I am confident that he will continue to raise the bar for the entire MusicFirst team’.
