Fascinated by its architecture, culture and history, I have taken Vienna as my spiritual home, opening my own restoration workshop in the heart of the city.
My vision for that workshop is to offer the very best of the old and the new: to combine proven, traditional techniques with innovative ideas, methods and technologies to meet my clients’ most exacting requirements.
New York City
Curious to explore the practices and approaches adopted by luthiers in other countries, I moved to New York City in 2013 to join Christophe Landon Rare Violins.Whilst there, I worked on a number of demanding restoration projects, along the way meeting musicians with diverse cultural and musical backgrounds and playing styles.
As part of an international team of violin makers and restorers, I learned about the techniques and traditions of, amongst others, France, England and Asia.
Photo: Anthony Quintano / CC BY
Vienna
Learning and growing as a professional luthier – acquiring new skills and insights – means regularly changing workshops.Thus it was, in 2009, I moved to Vienna – in my view, the capital of classical music – where, in the workshop of Christine Eriks, I was privileged to work on many masterpieces of Italian violin making.
This workshop also proved to be influential in developing my understanding of sound and sound adjustment.
Convinced that the restoration of stringed instruments can and should be enhanced with modern techniques, I also enrolled at the Conservation and Restoration Department of the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, where I studied the scientific theories and practices of conservation and restoration.
In 2010, I was appointed guest lecturer in restoration techniques at the University of Applied Science Zwickau, Department of Musical Instrument Making, Markneukirchen.
Photo: Stefan Jurca / CC BY
Hanover
Having decided to specialise in restoration, I joined the workshop of Christian Erichson in Hanover, where I worked on a number of largescale projects, whilst concurrently studying with Jean-Jacques Fasnacht in Brienz.Photo: IK’s World Trip / CC BY
Oldenburg
After graduating from violin making school in 2004, I gained my first real, practical experience in the workshops of Martin Michalke in Oldenburg.During these early years, I also attended restoration courses taught by Jean-Jacques Fasnacht, who is one of the leading restorers of stringed instruments in Europe and a lecturer at the Swiss School of Violin Making in Brienz.
It was here that I developed my interest in and enthusiasm for the restoration of antique instruments.
Klingenthal
Fascinated by violins and with a burgeoning interest in the science of sound production, I took the decision to attend violin making school, having completed my studies.In 2001, I was invited to attend the Klingenthal Violin Making School in Vogtland – a region with a proud tradition of instrument making.
The school itself is small and uniquely personal, accepting only three-five students each year to be trained by two teachers.
Whilst studying violin making, I also played in a quartet with students from the school and musicians from the neighbouring Czech Kraslice.
On graduating, I was proud to be nominated Student of the Year, going on to win first prize in the German Chamber of Crafts 2004 competition for violin makers.
Photo: Markus Waibel / CC BY
Bad Pyrmont
After moving with my family to Bad Pyrmont in northern Germany, I studied violin with the renowned teacher Barbara Rau.Photo: Kathleen Tyler Conklin / CC BY
Gomel
Born in Gomel, Belarus I was most fortunate to receive a classical Russian school musical education, beginning violin lessons at the age of seven.Photo: xx