Luthier

My interest in violins began in a roundabout fashion when my father inherited an old French instrument from an aunt. I liked the look of the instrument, and from the age of six learned to play.

I began my formal study of violin making in 1997 at the Chicago School of Violin making. At Tschu Ho Lee’s school, I received an education in the basic methods of the violin maker: the learning of patience in craftwork, the development of a critical sense of one’s own work, and awareness of the lines and forms that lie at the heart of instrument making.

My study of violinmaking received a boost when American maker Gregg Alf offered me a summer position at Alf Studios. That first period passed quickly and an offer to stay on was extended, so I left school early to continue working and studying at Alf Studios. The environment at Alf Studios was a dream come true for young maker. Gregg Alf generously devoted his time and effort to seeing that his apprentices came to appreciate the myriad aspects of both the craft and art of violin making. Out of his love of violin making, he openly shared his extensive knowledge of wood selection, woodworking, and varnish.

In 2000, I established a small workshop in my home in Chicago, and for three years set about developing personal and historical models. In spring of 2003, I moved my violinmaking studio to my new home in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2014, I purchased a separate building to house my studio, and this greatly expanded the footprint and capabilities of my instrument making. I presently work exclusively making and maintaining my own new violins, violas, and cellos.

Between 2002 and 2012, alongside my regular new making, I devoted serious effort to competing in international instrument making competitions. I was gratified to win a gold medal at the 2004 Violin Society of America competition for a 16 1/4″ Brescian viola. This first major award was followed by a string of subsequent medals for violin, viola, cello, and quartet. In back to back Triennale competitions in Cremona, Italy, I won bronze medals for viola and violin. I am proud that every single one of my awards includes recognition for superior tone, as this is the goal that is at the center of my endeavors as a maker. Finally, in 2012, I joined a select group of makers, receiving the designation Hors Concours or “above the competition.” For a full list of my awards click here.

I feel fortunate to be involved professionally in such an exciting discipline. My making is constantly invigorated and evolving through my contacts and conversations with players and fellow makers. I am particularly interested in forming collaborations with players…in the selecting of wood from my stockpiles, the choosing of a model, and the determining of the characteristics of the varnish, whether antiqued or new. All of this supports the effort to design an instrument that matches the expectations of the musician who has entrusted me with the task of making them a new instrument.