Mike Risko Music a Finalist at the NAMM Awards in Nashville

Mike Risko Music is a finalist in the Music Makes a Difference category at the National Association of Music Merchants awards show in Nashville.

The NAMM awards are the industry version of the Oscars.

The company had been named one of the top 100 music retailers in the world by the National Association of Music Merchants for 2014 and 2015,

This year, what’s being recognized is their music school and their work with the Pleasantville Cottage School. They have been providing a music program for the Pleasantville Cottage School for two years. The collaboration started with one voice class and soon became seven classes per week and a musical theatre program.

“Teaching students from the Pleasantville Cottage School has been one of the most rewarding roles of our teaching career,“ said Mike Risko. “Sharing the joy of music and watching the students grow musically has been so inspiring. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

The top 100 retailers, who come from all over the world, are entered into seven categories, winners are chosen for each including Dealer of the Year. Mike Risko Music was one of 4 music schools/stores in New York State and the only one in Westchester to receive this honor.

“Being chosen as a top 100 amongst these unbelievable music stores and schools all over the world is such an honor and being chosen as a top 3 in the Music Makes A Difference Category means the world to us,” Risko said. “Music education and performing is the heart of our business and being able to share it with the community and seeing first hand how music really can make a difference is the best part of our job.”