Meet the Shop
We here at Olivas Music are proud to say that we have one of the best repair shops in the Southwest. Ranging from Brass, Woodwinds, and Strings - if you have an issue with your musical instrument, chances are we can help you fix it. We have many options, so click to the left for all our repair shop has to offer or take a look below at our roster of repair shop technicians.
in memoriam: Larry R. Thompson
5.14.1947 - 3.12.2025
“May his humorous and loving spirit continue to inspire us.” Thank you Larry for everything you’ve done!
Mr. Thompson lived a tremendous life over the years in the field of music which led him to become one of the veterans of our repair shop. Mr. Thompson achieved a MM from Baylor University. He had performed with the U.S. Army Field Band, the Ft. Worth Symphony Opera and Ballet for over 15 years. Mr. Thompson also subbed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera as well as 3 contemporary music groups in the city of Philadelphia and performed at the legendary Carnegie Hall.
MACEN molina
Mr. Molina’s education and professional career have taken him across the country and overseas. Born in Tucson, Arizona, to a military family brought him all around the United States. He began his undergraduate degree at the Rockville community college, Maryland, and then transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso to complete a BA in Music Education with bassoon focus, under professor and professional bassoonist Cara Luffey.
Mr. Molina then continued his education to pursue Brass and Woodwind Instrument Repair, completing the Band Instrument Repair Program at Minnesota State College Southeast, Red Wing. Receiving the Beckwith Foundation scholarship and achieving high honors. He has continued to practice and hone his craft as a professional woodwind and brasswind repair technician with a specialty in double reeds. He enjoys fine-tuning instruments and meeting the player's desires and needs.
The high prize of life, the crowning glory of a person is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds them in employment and happiness -- whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Angelina Montalvo
Angelina is an oboist of 20 years with an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master's degree in Music performance under the direction of Dr. Andrea Shaheen. She has had the privilege to performed with various ensembles in the El Paso and Las Cruces area such as EPSO and LCSO but most notably the El Paso Wind Symphony as principal oboist.
Angelina began repairing woodwind instruments as an apprentice to Larry Thompson in 2017 and is now a recent 2022 graduate with honors from Redwing Technical College in band instrument repair. Her certification includes both woodwind and brass but her specialty lies in woodwinds. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair (NAPBIRT).
If you wish to contact her with any questions about overhauls, restorations, or any other repair needs please feel free to email her at: amontalvo.olivasmusic@yahoo.com
ELIAB BARRIOS
Eliab Barrios is a professional mariachi and multi-instrumentalist currently serving as a string repair technician at Olivas Music. Specializing in stringed instruments ranging from violins and cellos to guitars — both acoustic and electric — Eliab brings a deep understanding of how these instruments should feel and sound in a musician’s hands.
Though he has not attended a formal repair school, Eliab is currently being mentored by master luthier Joe “Pepe” Aguirre and has gained hands-on experience through dedicated practice and mentorship. He is currently pursuing a degree in History and Secondary Education while continuing to grow in the repair field.
Eliab plays harp, guitar, guitarrón, vihuela, piano, and sings professionally. He believes that instruments are tools of expression — “and that the easier they are to play, the better the music comes out of you.” Whether it’s adjusting a cello for comfort or bringing a worn-out guitar back to life, Eliab finds deep fulfillment in helping musicians reconnect with their sound.