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From top, instrument repair student Michaela Alderink fixed dents in a brass trumpet; pad cups of a flute need to be fixed; and guitar program student Glenn Coats built a fretboard. in the guitar program The pad cups of a flute are taken out to be fixed At 33, she is looking to make a career change.

RED WING, MINN. — The most intimate relationship a musician may have is with a precious instrument. And when that relationship breaks down, an elite group of students here can fix it.

At Minnesota State College Southeast, about 85 students are learning to repair musical instruments. Most of them choose from among three specialties: band instruments, violins and guitars (whose students also learn to build guitars).

It’s a rare chance to learn these special skills. Only three schools in the country offer band instrument repair,