Biography
My instrument making career began in 1994, when I started training at the Violin Making School of America (1994-1998). But my interest in violin making began much earlier, when I first started playing violin. My first teacher was also an amateur violin maker. And visiting violin shops and seeing craftsmen at work, peaked my interest even more.
I continued to study violin and then music into college. After a couple of years of college, the idea of violin making returned and it was an obvious choice for me as a change of direction.
The move from Virginia to Salt Lake City occurred quickly after the decision was made, and soon I was starting my first three violins at the school. Within the first semester I was honored by being offered a position in Peter Priers Violin Shop, to begin learning violin restoration as well as making.
I continued to divide my days between the school and the shop until I graduated in 1998. After graduating and also starting a family, it became important to return to the east coast to be closer to family. And the timing worked out well to move to Raleigh area and I have been working here ever since in the last 26 years. I have continued to make instruments to the highest traditional standards as well as develop my restoration skills.
In 2023 I won five different awards in the Southern Violin Association competition, 1st and 2nd place with my custom designed small viola in workmanship and sound category, as well as with my newest violin.
I am a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers (AFVBM) since 2006. afvbm.org
The Violin Society of America VSAweb.org and Southern Violin Association, southernviolinassociation.com.
