Joe Castronovo, president of Korg USA, joined a delegation of National Association of Music Merchants members, music industry leaders and advocacy partners May 13, 2026, to meet with members of Congress. The group urged relief from tariffs on musical instruments, accessories, components and raw materials.
The 20th NAMM Advocacy DC Fly-In welcomed new and returning advocates from all over the U.S., including 100 music business leaders and professionals representing all 50 states. Castronovo represented New York as part of the delegation advocating for tariff relief that would benefit music retailers, manufacturers, educators and students nationwide.
Tariffs on musical instruments and related products threaten to raise costs for music retailers, schools and students at a time when access to music education has never been more important. NAMM members traveled to Capitol Hill to make the case directly to lawmakers that tariff exemptions for music products protect American jobs, support music educators and keep instruments accessible for the next generation of musicians.
Each time we come back to Washington, it reinforces how important it is for our industry to speak with one unified voice, Castronovo said. These conversations matter. Lawmakers are listening more closely, and there is a growing understanding of how tariffs impact a highly global, specialized supply chain like ours. But the reality is, tariffs do not just affect manufacturers. They directly impact small retailers, increase costs for customers, and make it harder for students and first-time players to access music. That is why it is so important to be here: to connect policy decisions to real-world consequences and advocate for solutions that protect both our industry and access to music.
Castronovo joined fellow New York representatives including Tom Souzzi and Melissa Heche as part of the delegation. The advocacy effort focused on connecting policy decisions to real-world consequences for the music products industry. NAMM members traveled to Capitol Hill to make the case directly to lawmakers that tariff exemptions for music products protect American jobs, support music educators and keep instruments accessible for the next generation of musicians.
For more information, visit namm.org.