In 1978, DeFord began making a new instrument line, the Emerson Flute. He eventually sold his successful DeFord Flute brand and took on other projects, acquiring Instrument City Pad Company, the Almeida Flute Company, and Hardy piccolos. In 1969, DeFord began production of the DeFord Flute, a new student instrument that became popular in the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and Australia.
#EMERSON FLUTE COMPANY INFOMATION PROFESSIONAL#
DeFord and Mark Thomas worked together to improve the quality and design of student flutes and to develop the complete flute family (including bass, alto, E-flat soprano, C, treble G, and B-flat flutes) and, later, a wood piccolo and professional C flute. A few years later, he started the Heritage Division, where he mentored many flutemakers including Bickford Brannen, Jack Moore, Tom Green, John Yeater, and Larry Earnhart. Armstrong Flute Company in Elkhart, Indiana, and quickly rose to the position of vice president of production in 1962.
Expertly skilled in all stages of production, DeFord has passed his knowledge along to many who continue with his legacy.ĭeFord began his flutemaking career at the W.T. Emerson DeFord has directed his career as a flutemaker with the lifelong philosophy that every instrument he creates, whether for a student or a professional, will carry the same quality of workmanship.