Through the years, George saw the need for a better method of cleaning and protecting woodwind instruments. In 1975, he invented the original H.W. Pad-Saver®, a de-moisturizing swab designed to wick corrosive moisture from the bore, tone holes, and pads. The H.W. Pad-Saver® revolutionized woodwind maintenance, was granted a patent, and H.W. Products, Inc. was established to manufacture the line.

Ever the inventor, George later took on the problem of cleaning brass instruments and in 2000 the H.W. Brass-Saver® brush was born. Unlike anything before it, this metal-free brush could easily negotiate the curved tubing of everything from trumpets to French horns, providing a safe and effective way to clean and maintain brass instruments. Once again, George had contributed the perfect solution to a major maintenance problem and he received another patent. In addition to having found a solid place in the music world, this invention is now being developed for industries outside of music such as pharmaceutical, food processing, and aerospace.

To hear more about George’s days making hand-crafted flutes, listen to this interview.

When he’s not inventing great products for the music and other industries, George enjoys adventuring on photo-shoots.

For more about the history of the Pad-Saver, check out this article.

Angela Koregelos

Angela Koregelos spent much of her childhood helping out at the family business, House of Woodwinds, and she continues that tradition today as President of H.W. Products, Inc., a position she has held since 1991. Her role in the music industry was preceded by her career as a professional flutist. She began studying the flute at the age of seven and when she was only fourteen, she was invited by world-renown flutist and teacher Alain Marion to study with him in Paris. Upon completion of high school she took him up on his offer and spent the next years immersed in the French School of     flute playing under his instruction and that of Jean-Pierre Rampal. 

She returned to the United States and at the age of twenty became one of the youngest principal players of the Oakland Symphony. In addition to her work with the symphony, she has performed and recorded extensively with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, several outstanding chamber ensembles, and she has participated in numerous recording projects for film and television.

Ms. Koregelos performs on a flute hand-made for her by her father. For more information or to hear samples of her many solo recordings, please visit www.fluteladyrecords.com.

Liz Schaefer

Creative Director Liz Schaefer joined H.W. Products in 2007 and among her many responsibilities oversees advertising, packaging, and trade shows. She comes to her position with a background in art and holds a BA in Fine Arts from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to her work with H.W Products, she is the founder of her own design company where she manages the creation and production of various creative projects including custom invitations and announcements, soft furnishings, home decor accessories and silver jewelry.

Liz comes from a musical family; her father was a professional trumpet player with the Santa Cruz Symphony, her brother is a cellist with the Santa Cruz Symphony, and her mother is a pianist. Liz herself studied viola, flute, and piano before becoming an art major, and enjoys the opportunity to combine her varied interests and talents at H.W. Products.