I grew up in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a small seacoast town with a New England do-for-yourself atmosphere. My father was a carpenter, furniture builder, and carver. I used to follow my Dad around the shop until he’d set me up with my own project. I put many miles on his tools before finally collecting a real set of my own.

 

I attended the furniture-making school Leeds Design Workshop in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The program focused on producing one of a kind furniture, primarily with hand tools and traditional joinery. After finishing and working just a few years in art furniture, I was offered a position doing violin repair. This offer allowed me to combine my two loves: music and woodworking.

 

I began my apprenticeship in 1994 at Stamell Stringed Instruments with two fine French luthiers, Chantal Emannuel Bournoff and Philippe Raynaud. Over a period of five years, I performed all the major repairs with their expert guidance and generous sharing of their knowledge. In 1999 I become the Head of the Workshop, fielding the larger restorations and training workshop staff.

 

In 2008 I established my own workshop where I repair and restore violin family instruments. I still enjoy learning and continue to seek an exchange of information and techniques by attending professional development events such as those offered by the British Violin Making Association , the Violin Society of America and the VSA’s Oberlin Restoration Workshops. I also enjoy arranging working visits where I spend a week or so with other Luthiers in their shops. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in the workshops of  William Monical, Anna Tummers , Anette Fajardo and Tim Toft .