This instrument is featured as part of our 2023 Contemporary American Makers Exhibition and Sale

"Born into a musical family in Germany, I trained at the Newark School of Violin Making in Newark, UK.  My work as a luthier, freelance cellist, and violin making teacher has taken me to England, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States and several Caribbean countries.  In the pursuit of deepening my skills, I regularly attend the Oberlin Violin Makers’ workshop and Violin Society of America’s conventions, and have joined the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.  

  Violin making is endlessly fascinating, be it design, history, acoustics, varnish, or woodwork.  As I believe that method determines outcome, I attempt to closely follow historical methods of making, using traditional tools.  

  The social aspect of my work matters to me, which inspired me to start the US chapter of “Luthiers sans Frontières” (Luthiers Without Borders), a non-profit supporting cultural life in under-served communities.  We travel to such areas to teach local musicians the basics of instrument maintenance and repair, with the aid of donated instruments, tools and materials.

 Pre-pandemic, I also organized monthly meetings of Minnesota violin and bow makers, and in 2019 co-hosted an exhibition of Minnesota makers’ work.

  I currently divide my time between making and restoring instruments, playing in several area ensembles, and serving as president of Luthiers sans Frontières.  When not embroiled in the wonderful world of music and instruments, I might be in my garden, on my yoga mat, with my nose in a book, hiking, paddling or skating Minnesota waterways, or studying paper structures."

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