Susan Vought Findley, Owner, Repair Tech, Oboist.
She worked closely with Margaret Noble of OboeWorks for more than five years learning oboe repair and helping to run the shop. When OboeWorks moved to New York City, Susan decided to open her own shop in the basement of her home. Madera Oboe Repair & Supply is located in the Sleepy Hollow section of Falls Church, VA. Repair is done on an appointment only basis. Please call or email us for more information!
John Findley - Ever Patient Husband, French hornist, and the World's Best Elementary School Instrumental Music Teacher! (Really!!) John is a native of Falls Church. He studied horn in Boston at the New England Conservatory. John and Susan met while they were both playing in the Mexico City Philharmonic. (Que milagro!) After the peso went to infierno in a canasta, they relocated to Falls Church. John not only plays French horn, but sings beautifully, plays recorder and does his own musical arrangements for his students. He also has what is called a "phonographic memory." As if this weren't enough already, John is a gourmet cook. Yum! John is the Cutest of All Guys and Susan is grateful every day for his love, support and wise counsel - and she even roots for the Redskins if they are not playing the Jets. |
Guy the Cat, Shop Assistant
Guy the Cat takes his job as "Shop Assistant" very seriously. He will come out to greet you to make sure that you feel welcome and that you are finding what you need. He also might not object to a game of "chase the squiggly pipe cleaner" or "pounce on the cat dancer toy" should you care to play. He is 17 years old and has been enjoying all the new people that he meets through his work here at Madera. Although he is still full of beans, he has been diagnosed with kidney failure. He is on a special diet and must have subcutaneous fluids every day, along with vitamin supplements and medication for nausea. He might still come out to greet you, but then again, he might not. He is still the fuzzy center of Susan's world.
Winifred Louise "Winnie" Findley, Resident Manx
Winnie runs things upstairs. She is a Manx cat - she has no tail. She loves to "retrieve" things - she picks them up in her mouth and carries them from room to room. She also has been known to charm absolutely everyone - even perfect strangers - and somehow convince them that she is starving to death. This ruse has been so successful that she now resembles a black fuzzy bowling ball with legs. You probably won't see Winnie, since she is our "upstairs" cat. But if you do - don't feed her, no matter how pitiful she sounds.
SweetPea Thelonius Findley, Quaker Parrot
SweetPea is the newest member of the Madera Staff. He will be three years old in September, 2010. He can talk, but has learned to stay reasonably quiet when students and repair customers are here. Some of his favorite phrases are:
Are you a chicken? Bok, bok, bok, bok, BEGAK!, Hi, Hello, Whatcha doin? Uh oh!, Hey BOO!, Good boy!, OUT!, Want millet! Bye bye, night-night, Right! and Susan's favorite J-E-T-S Jets, Jets JETS! He also does a pretty good raspberry.
The only thing that seems to annoy him of late is Susan singing the "I'm a little Quaker, Green and Stout" song.
Quaker Parrots are also called "Monk Parrots" which is why his middle name is Thelonius. He is interested in anyone and anything - especially if it involves sharing your food. He is not a big bird - Quakers are rather small by parrot standards - they are about the same size as a cockatiel. However don't let his small stature fool you. He is a scrappy little bird. Some people describe Quaker Parrots as "a lotta parrot in a little package." I admit, I have to agree.
Susan is also a completely unapologetic New York Jets Fan 