A Family-Owned Music Store in Bel Air, MD
Music Land has been part of Bel Air, Maryland, since 1971 and is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s longest-running music stores. Founded by Joe Noto and now led by his son, Larry Noto, Music Land is one of Harford County’s longest-running independent music stores.
The store serves musicians, students, families, schools, churches, and working professionals throughout Harford County, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Southern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
Music Land carries guitars, drums, keyboards, band and orchestra instruments, amplifiers, pro audio equipment, and accessories from leading brands, including Fender, Martin, Yamaha, PRS, Epiphone, Ibanez, and many more.
Customers can shop instruments at Music Land, take private music lessons, use our in-house instrument repair shop, explore instrument rental programs, or sell used instruments through our consignment program.
Musicians also come to Music Land to rent stage and performance equipment or attend MusicLand Live concerts and events.
The building at 200 Gateway Drive in Bel Air is more than a retail space. It is a gathering place for the local music community.
How Music Land Began
Joe Noto opened Music Land in 1971 to create the kind of music store where musicians could receive expert advice, find quality instruments, and get honest service from people who genuinely cared about music and the local community.
The store grew alongside the Harford County music community over the following decades, expanding from a small shop into a full-service music store with sales, rentals, lessons, and repairs under one roof.
In 2015, following his father Joe Noto’s passing, Larry Noto left his position as Director of Marketing and Sales at the National Aquarium in Baltimore to take over the day-to-day operation of the family business.
His work has included launching Music Land’s online sales efforts, which now ship instruments throughout the United States; starting the store’s consignment program, growing the school band and orchestra rental program, bringing back major brands such as Martin, PRS Guitars, and Epiphone; and a complete renovation of the store, including a humidity-controlled acoustic room, group classroom, and live entertainment venue.
The result is a music store that combines the personal service of a family business with the selection and capabilities of a much larger retailer. More than 50 years after it opened, Music Land remains locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused.
Read the complete story of Music Land’s family legacy or take a tour of the Music Land store.
Donna Noto
The store is owned by our founder Joe’s wife Donna Noto. A guitar player herself, Joe and Donna actually met at Music Land at its original location on Bond Street. As they say, the rest is history.
Continuing the Family Legacy: Meet Larry Noto
Larry Noto has served as Vice President of Music Land and overseen the store’s day-to-day operations since 2015. He brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, entertainment, and business leadership.
Before returning to Music Land, Larry served as Director of Marketing and Sales at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He left that position to take over the family business after his father’s passing.
Larry’s career highlights at Music Land include:
- 2016 Best Store Turnaround: National Association of Music Merchants
- Top 100 Music Stores in the World: National Association of Music Merchants
- 2021 Business of the Year: Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission
- 2019 Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence: Comptroller of Maryland
- Emmy Nomination: Entertainment Program Segment, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter
Larry is also the lead singer for Larry Noto & The Little Big Band and an actor and comedian who has opened for Jon Lovitz, Brad Garrett, Lewis Black, Richard Lewis, and Paul Reiser.
That on-stage experience is part of why Music Land is more than a retail store. It is a working musician’s store run by working musicians.
Meet the Music Land Team
The Music Land team brings a valuable combination of experience, training, musical knowledge, and customer service to the sales floor, lesson rooms, rental department, online store, and repair shop.
Repairs
Gary Linderborn
Gary has 44 years of experience and completed formal training through the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians.
He has held a Fender Warranty Certificate since 1994 and developed a cello-neck repair method that has become a standard repair technique within the shop.
Gary entered the industry because of his love of music.
Typical day: Providing prompt and proper instrument repairs.
Fun fact: He loves to fish.
Sales
Elle Saulsbury
Elle has six years of experience. She manages Music Land’s Reverb.com storefront, optimizes product listings, communicates with buyers, manages consignment contracts, and helps process inventory.
She entered the industry because of her love of music and her desire to inspire others.
Before joining Music Land, Elle coordinated events in the Baltimore area and spent years on the road as a member of the band Heartbent, which released a studio album and two EPs.
Typical day: Answering questions and helping customers select quality instruments that fit their needs.
Fun fact: She was born and raised on her family’s Christmas tree farm, Jarrettsville Nurseries, in North Harford County.
Noah Frontera
Noah has six years of experience and holds an associate degree in mass communication.
He manages Music Land’s pro audio, percussion, and major instrument inventory. He helped bring Gibson back into the store’s brand lineup and has met Paul Reed Smith in person.
Noah is a member of the Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB) and plays drums in the local band Vendetta.
Typical day: Helping customers with drums, pro audio equipment, guitars, and the equipment they use to perform.
Fun fact: He enjoys fishing and boating.
Matt Hooper
Matt has nine years of experience and assists with retail sales and rentals, with a focus on band and orchestra instruments, guitars, basses, and keyboards.
He began playing music at age six and has spent his adult life in and around music stores. He entered the industry because he has always enjoyed the energy of a music-store environment.
Typical day: Helping customers with band and orchestra instruments, guitars, basses, and keyboards.
Fun fact: He has two cats named Frog and Toad.
Quinton Switzer
Quinton has 10 years of teaching experience and two years of experience on the sales floor.
He holds an associate degree in music from Anne Arundel Community College and completed music and pedagogy coursework at Towson University.
He teaches students, assists customers, manages rental contracts, resizes instruments, and helps oversee inventory.
Quinton has played guitar and performed professionally for 12 years. He has served as a guest musician with the Anne Arundel Community College Symphony Orchestra, completed a jazz combo residency at Fort Meade, and led multiple bands.
He entered the industry to become more involved in the music community.
Typical day: Helping customers with pedals, amplifiers, guitars, basses, pickups, strings, and performance equipment, as well as helping musicians find places to perform.
Fun fact: He collects board games and comic books.
MarLoe Stump
Marloe has three years of experience and holds Crestron Level 1, Crestron Level 2, and AVIXA certifications. She helps customers with orchestral instruments, restringing, instrument care, and product questions.
Before joining Music Land, she worked for Harford Sound and assisted with music festivals.
Typical day: Helping customers understand the proper care of their orchestral instruments, answering product questions, and getting into a good conversation.
Fun fact: She has a dog named Bear.
Connor Alban
Connor has three years of experience. He helps customers compare products, operates the rental-program systems, and assists with rental accounts.
He plays in the band Wild Flower, which has performed at local venues and recorded an EP.
Connor entered the industry to expand his musical knowledge and professional network while sharing what he knows with other musicians.
Typical day: Helping customers understand products and providing the information they need to make confident purchasing decisions.
Fun fact: He enjoys playing video games with friends and working on his car.
Joel Brackins
Joel has three years of experience. His responsibilities include customer assistance, rentals, basic instrument adjustments, restringing, troubleshooting, and helping customers find the products they need.
His greatest passion is playing and performing. He has performed with several bands, secured bookings at well-known venues, drawn strong audiences, and developed music projects with friends.
Joel is left-handed, interested in the entrepreneurial side of the music industry, and enjoys combining his love of music with the outdoors.
A favorite quote of his is “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass.
He entered the industry because music is his passion and working in a music store allows him to learn more about the business side of the industry.
Typical day: Offering advice, sharing knowledge, helping customers troubleshoot problems, and educating musicians so they can make confident decisions.
What Sets Music Land Apart
More Than 100 Years of Combined Staff Experience
The Music Land team brings more than a century of combined music retail, teaching, performance, and repair experience into the store every day.
The staff includes working musicians, educators, performers, and repair technicians who use and understand the instruments and equipment they recommend.
Serving the Local Music Community Since 1971
Music Land has been in continuous operation in Bel Air since 1971.
As an insured, family-owned business, the store has spent more than five decades serving students, families, schools, churches, and working musicians throughout the region.
View the communities included in the Music Land service area.
NAMM Top 100 Music Store
Music Land has been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants as one of the Top 100 music stores in the world.
Award-Winning Local Business
Music Land has received the 2021 Bel Air Business of the Year award from the Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission, the 2019 Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence from the Comptroller of Maryland, the 2016 NAMM Best Store Turnaround award, and the Baltimore Sun's Best Lessons award.
Leading Musical Instrument Brands
Music Land carries instruments and equipment from brands working musicians trust, including Fender, Martin, Yamaha, PRS, Ibanez, Roland, Korg, Ludwig, TAMA, Zildjian, and more.
Every new instrument sold is backed by the manufacturer's applicable warranty.
Lessons, Repairs, Rentals, and Consignment Under One Roof
Customers can purchase an instrument, take private or group lessons, have an instrument repaired by an experienced technician, rent school instruments or performance equipment, and consign used gear—all without having to visit several different businesses.
Industry Memberships and Community Involvement
Music Land is a member of the National Association of Music Merchants, the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians, and the Bel Air Chamber of Commerce.
Read verified Music Land customer reviews to learn more about customers' experiences with the store, staff, lessons, rentals, and repairs.
Continuing the Music Land Legacy
The current Music Land team carries the Noto family’s legacy forward by remaining committed to the relationships, community involvement, musical knowledge, and honest service that have defined the store for decades.
Through every change in the music industry and every new generation of musicians, Music Land continues to serve local students, families, educators, performers, churches, schools, and working professionals.
Contact Music Land
Visit Music Land at 200 Gateway Drive in Bel Air, Maryland, to meet the team, compare instruments, ask about rentals, arrange a repair, or learn more about music lessons.
Call (410) 879-1079 to speak with a member of the Music Land team or contact Music Land before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Was Music Land Founded?
Music Land was founded in 1971 by Joe Noto. The store has been in continuous operation in Bel Air, Maryland, for more than 50 years.
Who Owns Music Land Now?
Music Land remains operated by the Noto family.
Larry Noto, the son of founder Joe Noto, has served as Vice President since 2015, when he left his position as Director of Marketing and Sales at the National Aquarium in Baltimore to take over the family business after his father’s passing.
What Brands Does Music Land Carry?
Music Land carries leading musical instrument and equipment brands, including Fender, Martin, Yamaha, PRS, Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch, Ibanez, Roland, Korg, Ludwig, TAMA, Zildjian, and more.
Does Music Land Offer Lessons?
Yes. Music Land offers private music lessons on most instruments and voice, generally for students age six and older.
Does Music Land Have a Repair Shop?
Yes. Music Land has an in-house repair shop staffed by experienced technicians with professional repair training and applicable manufacturer certifications.
Standard maintenance, adjustments, repair work, and applicable warranty services are handled in the store.
What Awards Has Music Land Won?
Music Land has been named a Top 100 Music Store in the World by the National Association of Music Merchants, received the 2016 NAMM Best Store Turnaround award, the 2021 Bel Air Business of the Year award, the 2019 Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence from the Comptroller of Maryland, and the Baltimore Sun’s Best Lessons award.
What Industry Memberships Does Music Land Hold?
Music Land is a member of the National Association of Music Merchants, the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians, and the Bel Air Chamber of Commerce.
What Are Music Land's Hours?
Music Land is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sunday.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Visit the Music Land frequently asked questions page for more information about the store, services, policies, and customer experience.
Content Review and Accuracy
This page has been reviewed for accuracy by Larry Noto, Vice President of Music Land.
Music Land was founded by Joe Noto in 1971 and has remained family-owned and operated. The store is a full-service music retailer offering instruments, lessons, repairs, rentals, consignment services, and community events for customers throughout Bel Air, Harford County, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Southern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
Music Land is a member of the National Association of Music Merchants and the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians.
Last reviewed and updated: September 2026